AI2030 Responsible AI Tools Marketplace

Key Takeaways

Youth can identify AI problems that adults might miss: The study found that 17 teenagers were able to spot problematic behaviors in AI systems like text-to-image generators and search autocomplete—insights shaped by their unique understanding of trends, hobbies, and social identities that differ from adult perspectives.
Youth expertise is grounded in real-world experience: Teens contributed quality audit findings based on their lived experiences with social identities and their knowledge of what matters to their peers, suggesting that including youth voices could make AI systems more relevant and fair to actual young users.
Support and education enhance youth participation: When teens received scaffolding through guided discussions about AI ethics and were given auditing tools, they were better equipped to meaningfully engage in responsible AI practices—indicating that structured support can unlock youth contributions.
Youth should be included in AI decision-making processes: The research demonstrates that responsible AI efforts currently focus on adults and miss opportunities to incorporate youth perspectives, despite teens being active users and stakeholders who are directly affected by AI systems.
AI auditing can be both protective and educational: Involving youth in identifying AI problems serves a dual purpose: it helps create more responsible AI systems while simultaneously teaching young people critical thinking skills about technology they use daily.

Abstract

Youth are active users and stakeholders of artificial intelligence (AI), yet they are often not included in responsible AI (RAI) practices. Emerging efforts in RAI largely focus on adult populations, missing an opportunity to get unique perspectives of youth. This study explores the potential of youth (teens under the age of 18) to engage meaningfully in RAI, specifically through AI auditing. In a workshop study with 17 teens, we investigated how youth can actively identify problematic behaviors in youth-relevant ubiquitous AI (text-to-image generative AI, autocompletion in search bar, image search) and the impacts of supporting AI auditing with critical AI literacy scaffolding with guided discussion about AI ethics and an auditing tool. We found that youth can contribute quality insights, shaped by their expertise (e.g., hobbies and passions), lived experiences (e.g., social identities), and age-related knowledge (e.g., understanding of fast-moving trends). We discuss how empowering youth in AI auditing can result in more responsible AI, support their learning through doing, and lead to implications for including youth in various participatory RAI processes.

Key Takeaways

Youth can identify AI problems that adults might miss: The study found that 17 teenagers were able to spot problematic behaviors in AI systems like text-to-image generators and search autocomplete—insights shaped by their unique understanding of trends, hobbies, and social identities that differ from adult perspectives.
Youth expertise is grounded in real-world experience: Teens contributed quality audit findings based on their lived experiences with social identities and their knowledge of what matters to their peers, suggesting that including youth voices could make AI systems more relevant and fair to actual young users.
Support and education enhance youth participation: When teens received scaffolding through guided discussions about AI ethics and were given auditing tools, they were better equipped to meaningfully engage in responsible AI practices—indicating that structured support can unlock youth contributions.
Youth should be included in AI decision-making processes: The research demonstrates that responsible AI efforts currently focus on adults and miss opportunities to incorporate youth perspectives, despite teens being active users and stakeholders who are directly affected by AI systems.
AI auditing can be both protective and educational: Involving youth in identifying AI problems serves a dual purpose: it helps create more responsible AI systems while simultaneously teaching young people critical thinking skills about technology they use daily.

Abstract

Investigating Youth AI Auditing

Key Takeaways

Abstract

Paper Info

Responsible AI Topics

Links

Investigating Youth AI Auditing

Key Takeaways

Abstract

Paper Info

Responsible AI Topics

Links