Youth Leadership Program 2026

Summary

This use case positions young people aged 16–26 as co-creators of responsible AI through learning about human rights, AI safety, digital responsibility and ethics. It connects AI literacy with leadership, encouraging young people to contribute to decisions about technologies that affect them. Its value depends on translating learning into meaningful participation rather than treating young people only as technology users.

The Problem

How can AI education give young people genuine influence over responsible AI practices without shifting responsibility for safety onto them? The age range also requires approaches that respect young adults’ autonomy while addressing the distinct rights and protection needs of participants under 18.

Ethical Grounds

Autonomy

Learning should enable participants to question AI outputs, recognise limitations and make informed choices, rather than encourage uncritical adoption.

Inclusion

Meaningful co-creation requires accessible materials and opportunities for participants with different backgrounds and levels of technical experience to influence the discussion.

Safety

Safety education should equip participants to recognise AI-related harms and seek support, with age-appropriate safeguards for those under 18.

Accountability

Young people should understand who is responsible for AI-related decisions and harms. Their participation must not substitute for the duties of AI providers, deployers or educators.

Legal Compliance

Framework	Provision	Relevance
EU AI Act	Art. 4	The AI-literacy duty applies to providers and deployers concerning staff and others operating AI on their behalf; this programme can support relevant learning but does not automatically fulfil that organisational duty.
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights	Arts. 24 and 51	Where EU Charter obligations apply, participants under 18 have rights to protection and consideration of their best interests, and their views must be considered according to age and maturity.
GDPR	Arts. 5(1)(c) and 12(1)	If participant personal data are processed, collection must be limited to what is necessary and privacy information must be accessible and clear, particularly when addressed to children.

Key Takeaways

Link AI literacy to practical exercises in identifying rights impacts, safety risks and ethical trade-offs.

Give participants clear ways to influence responsible AI practices and explain how their input is used.

Adapt materials and safeguards to different ages, abilities and levels of technical experience.

Keep responsibility for safe AI use with the relevant organisations, not with young participants.

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