Young Mediterranean leaders address the impact of technologies

Alongside some 100 young people (aged 18 to 24) from 15 Mediterranean countries, the UNESCO Office for the Maghreb launched a discussion on the impact of disruptive technologies in the Mediterranean region, with two main themes: the ethics of artificial intelligence (AI) and media and information literacy (MIL).

UNESCO took part in the fourth edition of the Mediterranean Academy for Youth, organized from July 16 to 17, 2024 in Asilah (Morocco) by the Forum Méditerranéen de la Jeunesse (FOMEJE), the Association Initiatives Citoyennes (BAWSALA) and Volunteer in Morocco, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH) of the Kingdom of Morocco

With two busy workshops and open discussions, young people - a UNESCO priority - gave their own visions and hopes through games and debates, underlining the need for critical thinking skills and decision making abilities.

According to an informal survey, more than 3 in 5 young people questioned during the event (63%) have excessive confidence in generative AI systems (such as ChatGPT, vastly overestimating the accuracy of information shared), while almost half (45%) are convinced that AI should make decisions for or instead of human beings. This led to an in-depth debate, with a recurring question: "If humans themselves are imbued with prejudices and pass them on to AI, why shouldn't we trust an AI that is ultimately a mirror of our society?"

This clear willingness of young people, active users, to trust AI systems for the present and future of our societies illustrates the need to promote their ethical issues, enshrined in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted in November 2021 by 194 member states. Thus, 3 out of 4 young people surveyed (74%) are convinced that the development of an ethical framework respectful of human rights for AI systems would help States and major AI players to increase investment and trust in this fast growing market, without putting the brakes on the race for new technologies.

In the age of massive information circulation and social networks, AI systems can use algorithms to propose content in line with our opinions or according to partisan objectives, fostering divisions within societies. Ming Kuok-Lim, Programme Specialist for Communication and Information at UNESCO's Maghreb Office, also illustrated the importance of media and information education, in order to gain the necessary distance from the massive explosion of true and false information.

The youngsters were able to try their hand at two new UNESCO board games, created for the occasion: "Ice-Breaking Information Game" and "Mediapoly" - widely acclaimed by participants. One is a fast-paced game about the importance of critical thinking in the face of information manipulation or misinterpretation, and the other is designed to teach critical concepts such as digital citizenship, copyright, misinformation and so on. This Mediterranean meeting marked a key stage in the promotion of UNESCO's vision and values in relation to the challenges linked by new technologies, and more particularly on the issues of AI ethics and media and information literacy, also raising the awareness of the youth associations and young leaders present to the need to integrate active strategies that take these key aspects into account in their programmes.

Find out more about :

• Media and Information Literacy (MIL)
• Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
• UNESCO Youth