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Some Kids Will Never Think AI Is Cool
Many teenagers are using AI tools while remaining sceptical of the technology and the way it is promoted. The article argues that this matters because young people expect to live with the consequences of AI-driven disruption, including misinformation, job losses, weaker critical-thinking skills and environmental costs.
Research cited by YPulse found that 37 per cent of 13- to 17-year-olds feel embarrassed by AI-made music and videos, while more than half worry about misinformation and deepfakes. Although chatbot use is widespread, Pew found that more than a quarter of teenagers expect AI to harm society over the next 20 years; parents and teachers report that some pupils now use “that’s AI” as shorthand for something false or poor-quality.
In short
- Teenagers use AI, but many distrust its hype and consequences.
- Deepfakes and misinformation are major concerns.
- Some young people reject AI-generated creative work.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Teenagers are justified in their skepticism given that they will inherit the long-term consequences of AI's deployment without having had a say in its design and governance. Real concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, job displacement, and environmental damage warrant caution, and research showing teen worry about these issues represents healthy critical thinking. Rather than uncritically embrace a powerful technology being aggressively promoted, young people are wise to question its impacts and demand that risks are properly addressed.
The case against
Whilst genuine risks warrant attention, excessive teen skepticism risks preventing beneficial AI adoption and leaving a generation unprepared for an AI-integrated future. AI offers substantial potential in healthcare, education, scientific research and countless other domains, and teenagers need the literacy and skills to work effectively with these tools rather than reflexively reject them. A more constructive approach than wholesale skepticism would encourage young people to develop nuanced understanding that recognises both benefits and risks, enabling them to shape AI responsibly.
Explained simply
Artificial intelligence tools such as chatbots and image generators have become widely used among teenagers for homework, creativity and entertainment. Many young people have adopted these technologies even as they express significant doubts about their long-term impact and how they are being promoted.
Research into teenage attitudes reveals widespread scepticism about AI. Studies show that around 37 per cent of 13- to 17-year-olds feel embarrassed by AI-generated music and videos, whilst over half worry about misinformation and deepfakes spreading online. Additionally, more than a quarter of teenagers expect AI to harm society significantly over the next 20 years, and some pupils now use the phrase "that's AI" as shorthand for something fake or low-quality.
Understanding teenage attitudes to AI matters because this generation will live longest with the technology's effects. Their concerns reflect real issues including potential job losses, misinformation, weakening critical thinking and environmental damage. The fact that teenagers use AI tools whilst remaining sceptical suggests they view it as a tool they must navigate, regardless of doubts about its value.