Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer something of the future or a distant technology. It is present in almost everything we do on a daily basis, often without us realizing it. We use it when we search for information on the internet, when Netflix recommends a series, when Instagram shows us content, or when an automatic translator helps us with another language.

For our generation, AI is already part of the digital routine. For our generation, AI is something completely integrated into our routine. That is why it is important not only to use it, but also to understand it a little better and reflect on its impact on society.

OPPORTUNITIES

One of the most positive aspects of Artificial Intelligence is its potential to improve inclusion and make technology more accessible to many people. A clear example is communication. Machine translation tools have come a long way in recent years. Nowadays, it is possible to have a fairly smooth conversation with someone who speaks another language using apps  such as real-time translators.

This is especially useful in international contexts, such as youth projects, exchanges or European programmes, where people from different countries work together.

Another very important point is accessibility. AI has made it possible to develop tools that make life easier for people with disabilities. For example, screen readers help visually impaired people use their mobile phones or computers. Automatic captions allow people with hearing impairments to follow videos, classes, or online meetings. There are also tools that simplify complex texts, which is very useful for people with learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

In education, AI is also changing the way we learn. Not all students learn the same or at the same pace. Some people need more time, others prefer visual explanations or practical examples. AI can help personalize learning, adapting content according to each person’s needs.

This can contribute to reducing inequalities in education, especially in environments where there are not always enough resources to provide individualized attention. Well used, it can save time and allow you to focus more on working with people.

RISKS

Despite all these advantages, AI also has significant risks that cannot be ignored. One of the main problems is that AI is not neutral. Although it is often presented as an objective technology, it actually learns from data created by humans, and that data may contain prejudices or inequalities that already exist in society. As a result,  AI can reproduce those same problems.

For example, there have been cases in which personnel selection systems have favoured certain profiles and have harmed others, simply because the historical data was biased. There are also facial recognition systems that work worse with people of certain ethnic groups. This can lead to discrimination without it being obvious to the naked eye, which makes it even more worrying.

Another major risk is the digital divide. Not all people have the same access to technology, the internet or digital training. While some young people grow up with constant access to advanced digital tools, others have fewer resources or fewer opportunities to learn how to use them. If AI becomes an essential part of education or work, these differences can further increase inequality.

We also have to talk about misinformation. Today, AI makes it possible to create highly realistic text, images, and videos that can look completely authentic. This makes it harder to distinguish between true and false information, especially if you don’t have critical thinking skills or media literacy. This can have important consequences on social networks, news or even public opinion.

Finally, there is the issue of privacy. Many AI tools collect large amounts of personal data to function. This raises important questions: who has access to that data, how is it used, and to what extent is it protected? Although we often accept terms without reading them, we are actually sharing a lot of information without being fully aware of it.

THE ROLE OF OUR GENERATION

Young people use AI constantly, often without thinking too much. It is present in our social networks, in the tools we use to study, in search engines and in many day-to-day apps. Precisely for this reason, it is not a matter of stopping using them, because they are part of our lives, but of understanding how they work and being a little more critical. For example, not automatically trusting everything that an AI generates, checking information when it is important, thinking about what data we are sharing or simply being aware that what we see online is not always neutral.

CONCLUSION

Artificial Intelligence has enormous potential to improve inclusion, accessibility, and education. It can open up many opportunities and make many people’s lives easier. But at the same time, it can also increase inequalities if it is not used critically and responsibly. That is why we must learn to use it consciously, understanding both its benefits and its risks, and making sure that it is always at the service of people.