Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the world, and young people are eager to understand its role in their future. Between July and September this year, UNICEF conducted a global poll in which over 330,000 U-Reporters from 181 countries spoke up about their familiarity with AI, how prepared they feel for an AI-driven workforce, and what skills they believe will matter most in the future. Here's what they had to say.
Familiarity with AI
A surprising 2 in 5 U-Reporters said they are completely unfamiliar with AI. Out of the rest, less than 1 in 5 felt they were very familiar with AI.
In East Asia and the Pacific, young people are leading when it comes to knowing about AI, with 1 in 4 saying they feel "very familiar" with the technology. On the other hand, in West and Central Africa, just under half of the respondents said they are completely unfamiliar with AI.
While it may not come as a surprise, the ones most familiar with AI were U-Reporters under 19. Female and male respondents reported similar levels of familiarity.
Future jobs
Over half of all U-Reporters said they felt ready to work in AI-related jobs, but the remaining shared that they were either unprepared or unsure if they are ready.
Interestingly, young people from West and Central Africa showed the highest levels of feeling prepared after East Asia and the Pacific, with half the U-Reporters in both regions saying they are ready for AI-driven jobs. Meanwhile, young people in Western Europe reported the lowest preparedness, with around only 1 in 3 feeling equipped, despite having better access to technology.
Young adults aged 25-29 were the most ready to work in AI-related jobs, with over half saying they feel prepared. Male respondents once again reported higher numbers, with half feeling ready, compared to around 2 in 5 female respondents. Female U-Reporters also feel more uncertain, with 2 reporting being 5 unsure, compared to less than 1 in 3 among male respondents.
Priorities for the future
Three in 5 U-Reporters felt that human skills will become even more important as AI continues to develop, showing that even in a tech-driven world, what makes us human counts.
In terms of what is most important, AI training was the top priority for future success for U-Reporters. Besides AI training, around 1 in 3 also pointed out the importance of acquiring skills that employers want to be prepared for the future.
Message to world leaders
U-Reporters also voiced their hopes and concerns for the world ahead. Here’s what they want leaders to know about their future in 2050.
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“Entering a new phase of our world is hard indeed. However, choose humanity and empathy to help create a better future for all of us.” Female U-Reporter, 16, Indonesia
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“By 2050, we need empathy, communication, and policies that promote new activities and sustainable jobs. Leaders, build an inclusive and prosperous future.” Female U-Reporter, 16, Ecuador
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“By 2050, new generations will have grown up with the decisions we make today. That is why we must take responsibility for developing plans and policies that reflect our vision of a prosperous and sustainable future for all.” Female U-Reporter, 19, Algeria
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“Protect the environment, human lives and maintain peace without war.” Female U-Reporter, 17, Ukraine
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“Our leaders must include training on the usefulness of AI in the education system.” Male U-Reporter, 21, Burkina Faso
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“There should be more jobs created to compensate for the positions AI has taken over, ensuring that an entire generation does not face unemployment.” Female U-Reporter, 20, Bangladesh
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“It is crucial for leaders to enact policies and regulations that ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI and technology. This includes promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness in the development and deployment of AI systems.” Male U-Reporter, 22, Tanzania
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"Let’s make sure that AI is contained and regulated for the safety of our world and the private data we don’t want everyone to have. We need to make sure biases are not present and AI has good intentions by 2050. Otherwise, our world would collapse as it thrives on careful regulation of data." Female U-Reporter, 16, United States
The findings from this poll helped shape Generation Unlimited's report, Time to Act: Preparing Youth for Work in an AI-Powered World, which was launched at the Summit of the Future during UN General Assembly this September. The insights have also been featured in this year’s State of the World’s Children report released on World Children’s Day.
To prepare young people for the future, it’s essential to address the gaps in AI education and training that they’ve pointed out, ensuring that no one is left behind in the age of disruptive technologies. These opinions will keep guiding important decisions about education and jobs in the future.