Are YOUth ready for the future? Insights on artificial intelligence and its impact on life

A new youth webinar on the subject of artificial intelligence aims to empower Insafe network youth panellists and equip them with additional knowledge on the implications of AI on privacy, protection of data and ways of living. The webinar, taking place on Thursday, 29 June 2017 from 18:00 CEST, is part of a wider elearning programme for youth to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to be responsible digital citizens, able to benefit from meaningful participation and involvement in discussions that matter to them.

Date 2017-06-14 Author BIK Team
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Any youth panellists interested in attending should contact their national youth coordinator for further details in the first instance.

Nowadays, artificial intelligence has become a hot topic in all discussions that involve innovation and technological developments, with increasing emphasis on data protection and privacy of individuals. Defined as the "science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs" that can imitate human-like intelligence, artificial intelligence comes in many forms and is mostly known as machine learning. This involves the use of algorithms and interpretation of data to identify patterns and profiles of users. As such, the technology is used to track the online behavior of users and thus offer them tailor-made information, from advertisements to news. Another famous example is the self-driving cars that take autonomous decisions based on the traffic and activity on the street. In conclusion, artificial intelligence uses large amounts of data to be able to deliver a service or a product, which poses a great threat to the privacy of the individuals whose data were collected as it can disclose sensitive information.

At European level, the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect in May 2018. It aims to strengthen, simplify and harmonise data protection laws across Europe, giving individuals control over how their data are processed. It also imposes that children and young people under 18 years old are entitled to "specific protection" of their personal data, forcing companies to treat this user category with greater care.

Chris Pinchen is the founder of The Privacy Agency where he provides specialist, made-to-measure consultancy and training around the topics of technology and privacy to organisations, companies, groups and individuals. Chris has accepted the invitation to talk to young people about his experience with artificial intelligence and privacy, and provide advice to young people on online practices that can help them to safeguard their private data.

"We used to connect to the internet, but now the internet connects to us in many different ways - knowing how our data is used and how we can regain agency over it is essential" says Chris.

Insafe Safer Internet Centres (SICs) work closely with young people to ensure that the resources and messages they disseminate to youth at a national level on how to use online technologies safely and responsibly are both meaningful and expressive. Additionally, these resources (including materials on privacy and data protection) are made available in national languages in the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) Resource gallery. Likewise, news on youth participation and involvement in various online safety activities is regularly published on the BIK portal.

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