Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, our first real experience of “artificial intelligence” didn’t come from a computer, it came from a screen. We remember watching “The Terminator” with older cousins, eyes wide as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cybernetic assassin calmly stepped through fire, nearly unstoppable, intelligent, and terrifying. Later, “The Matrix” blew our teenage minds. Machines had taken over, plugged humans into a simulation, and the only way out was to “wake up.” These stories weren’t just science fiction; they were warnings. At least, that’s how many of us saw them.

Fast forward to today, and AI is everywhere, not in the apocalyptic way we once feared, but quietly embedded in our phones, our social media, our workplaces. We now work with it and see just how different the world is for the next generations, Gen Z already integrating the workforce. For young people today, AI isn’t scary, it's a part of their day to day. They’ve grown up with smart assistants, TikTok algorithms, and personalized everything. While we are still catching up, they're already swimming in it.

This generational divide in how we relate to Technology is fascinating and, at times, a little frustrating. For many of us there's still a lingering suspicion of AI, shaped by decades of dystopian films and doomsday headlines. We often see AI as something external to us, something that needs to be managed or even resisted, but above all ethically regulated to guarantee the scope and limitations of its use. For the younger generations, AI is just another tool, like a calculator, or the internet itself.

Our role is to guide, support, and develop young people.

But how can we do that effectively if we're speaking different technological languages? At the same time, we started to realize that those old movies still have something to teach us. “The Matrix”, “Her”, “Ex Machina”, they weren’t just about machines taking over. They were about what it means to be human in a world of artificial minds. It’s about empathy, connection, and trust. AI won’t replace that but maybe it can help us do it better, if we let it. 

We need to find a balance between generations, between caution and curiosity, between the humanity of our work and the technology of our time. Whether you’re a digital native or a digital immigrant, the future is here. And we need to discuss it!

On April 2nd, 2025, another step in this critical discussion happened: AI4YouthWork workshop, a groundbreaking event that saw a unique convergence of the tech community and social workers, from various backgrounds.

Hosted by Contextos, as part of the Erasmus+ co-funded AI4YouthWork project, and held at the UALG TEC Campus in collaboration with Algarve STP, the workshop aimed to create AI literacy and responsible AI usage among young people. It began with an engaging "human bingo," a creative icebreaker that quickly dissolved any initial barriers between the diverse attendees, setting the stage for collaborative problem-solving.

A central focus of the workshop was the AI Competence Framework for Youth Workers, a groundbreaking initiative designed to equip those on the frontline of youth development with the skills needed to navigate the AI landscape. This framework outlines the essential digital, ethical, and pedagogical competencies required to guide young people (indicated by studies as the primary users of AI) through the complexities and possibilities of new technologies.

The project also has a comprehensive Digital Catalogue with 48 Open Education Resources in 5 languages, and an AI Training Toolkit featuring trustworthy AI tools and practical workshop plans.

Are we ready for the AI-powered job market? 

As part of the workshop, participants were divided into diverse groups to tackle pressing questions about AI's societal impact. Our group, composed of individuals from both the tech and social work sectors, decided to tackle one of the challenges: "Are we ready for the AI-powered job market? How can we prepare for the coming transformation?".

Over two intense hours, our discussions resulted into several possible solutions, directly aligning with the broader goals of the AI4YouthWork initiative:

● Combating Digital Illiteracy: A hurdle to job market readiness is the prevalent digital illiteracy in many sectors. Our group emphasized the urgent need for widespread training and educational resources to bridge this knowledge gap, ensuring everyone has a foundational understanding of AI.

● Prioritizing Privacy in AI Tools: As AI integration expands, so does the concern for data privacy. We stressed the importance of understanding and implementing robust privacy measures when utilizing AI tools, advocating for ethical data handling as a core competency.

● Understanding AI's Limitations: While AI offers immense potential, it's crucial to acknowledge its limitations. Our discussions highlighted the necessity of studying these boundaries within any AI framework, promoting a realistic and critical approach to its application.

● Seamless Integration at Work: For AI to truly transform the job market positively, its tools must be seamlessly integrated into existing work processes. We explored strategies for practical adoption, and how companies and institutions must have a clear stance on AI tools they want to use.

The AI4YouthWork workshop served as a powerful reminder that preparing for an AI-powered future isn't solely a technical challenge; it's a deeply human one. By bringing together diverse perspectives and a collaborative problem-solving environment, initiatives like AI4YouthWork are paving the way for a generation that is not only technologically savvy but also ethically responsible in its engagement with AI.

About the co-authors:

Having studied in several cities in Portugal, and traveled some, Penélope quickly learned that people are the most interesting when they’re getting their hands dirty to solve problems and find solutions in a collaborative way. She has organised and facilitated events from Geek Sessions, Geek Girls Portugal, Agile Connect, Techstars Startup Weekends and other hackathons like Shift Faro or Impact Hackers.