Today, youth use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to learn, research, develop ideas, and connect virtually. However, despite the surge in AI adoption, understanding of how technology can affect society, democracy, and public opinion is lagging behind.
For young people in Kosovo, this technology presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While digital technologies have been integrated into education, civic participation, and communication, discussions related to the ethical issues of AI, algorithmic bias, misinformation, and responsible use have not kept pace.
While young people know how to use AI technologies, few have been given the chance to critically consider how these tools might shape democratic processes and community life.
This disconnect led to a project called “AI Literacy for Democratic Resilience.” Within its framework, the organizers — a non-formal group of four university professors: Muhamet Jahiri, Gëzim Qerimi, Alban Zeneli, and Dren Gërguri — will teach young people about AI and digital skills and engage their critical thinking to identify misinformation, analyze AI-generated media, and encourage responsible use of AI in their communities.
Social and civic aspects of AI
The project includes three interactive workshops, focusing on various dimensions of AI literacy and democratic resilience. Each workshop had approximately 20 participants, selected based on their applications in response to an online call for participation.
We were not just focused on the technical aspects of AI use; rather, we wanted to raise awareness of the social and civic implications of AI.
The first workshop focused on AI Ethics and included an introduction to using AI tools responsibly and transparently. We discussed questions that are becoming increasingly relevant in our daily lives: When should AI be applied? What are some of the problems with using too much automation? How to ensure transparency and accountability in cases of AI-generated content that is going public?
Participants engaged in hands-on activities to examine the ethical challenges inherent in AI and explored its potential applications in civic engagement and community efforts, preparing them to become the leaders of tomorrow’s civic and community organizations.
They also discussed the ethical issues around AI and engaged in hands-on exercises to explore its responsible applications in civic activism and civic community-building.
The second workshop, AI and Democracy, brought the conversation into the realm of how AI relates to democratic processes. Participants delved into the role of recommendation algorithms in the information people encounter online, the potential impact of AI on public opinion, as well as how new technologies can strengthen or threaten citizens’ democratic engagement.
The young people explored examples of AI-driven misinformation, algorithmic bias, and critical thinking in the modern digital landscape through case studies and group discussions. Several participants stated they had utilized AI products before but had not considered AI’s broader effects on democracy and citizenship.
The project’s learning journey resumes in September, and the third workshop covers “Deepfakes and AI-Generated Misinformation.”
By the end of the session, participants will have hands-on experience identifying altered images, videos, and audio recordings, an understanding of the (deepfake) technology behind them, and strategies for verifying potentially false information.
As AI-produced content advances, the ability to assess and respond effectively becomes a critical skill for defending democratic speech and safeguarding information.
The three workshops provide an inclusive learning journey, starting with the ethical basis of AI, then exploring its influence on democracy, and finally giving hands-on practice in detecting and combating AI-produced content. By the end of the project, participants are expected to become agents of responsible digital citizenship and gain confidence in safely using AI technologies.
Presentations, interactive exercises, and discussions will encourage participants to reflect on the relevance and significance of the issues to their own community.
The project is important because it also focuses on an out-of-classroom initiative. Participants will be assisted in developing small civic activities. The awareness campaigns, educational materials, and community discussions promote young people’s active role in democratic resilience, rather than passive consumers of technology.
Cultivating vital enduring skills
As with any educational effort, this initiative has faced hurdles. Participants have varying levels of AI literacy: Some have used many AI tools over the years, while for others, these are new concepts.
Because of this diversity, we had to adapt some activities for varying skill levels, remain flexible, facilitate peer learning, and set up an inclusive environment where all participants feel safe asking questions and trying new tools.
Another barrier has been the evolution of AI itself, which is quick and dynamic. New applications come out almost every week, with so many that teaching all of them is not feasible. The project instead aims to cultivate enduring skills, namely, critical thinking, source verification, ethical decision-making, and digital responsibility. These skills are applicable regardless of which AI agent one uses and will remain relevant as the digital landscape shifts and evolves.
While the project is ongoing, its overarching vision is to be more than just individual workshops. We hope our participants will be ambassadors for how to use AI responsibly in their schools, universities, workplaces, and communities. They can help expand a culture of informed digital citizenship by amplifying their experiences and insights with others in their families and communities.
