We, Holger Haberstock and Laszlo Kovats from Eurosoc#DIGITAL, had the pleasure of guiding a project day at the Kaufmännische Schule Rheine in Germany on 26 June 2025 that was dedicated entirely to one of today’s most pressing and fascinating topics: artificial intelligence.
Under the banner of YouthGovAI, we explored a central question with the students of year 12 at the Wirtschaftsgymnasium: What opportunities does AI offer for our future — and what risks come along with it?
From the very start, it was clear that these young people truly live up to their reputation as “digital natives.” They brought a remarkable level of prior knowledge and curiosity to the discussion, demonstrating both enthusiasm and a critical perspective.
Throughout the day, students dived deep into the potential of AI in fields like healthcare and education, seeing how these technologies can support and improve human lives. But they didn’t shy away from tackling the difficult questions either: How might AI affect the job market? What ethical challenges arise when using AI in military applications or in automated decision-making processes, like job applicant screening?
A significant part of our discussions revolved around the European Union’s AI Act. Unlike approaches taken in the US or China, the EU aims to set strict boundaries to minimize unacceptable risks, such as discrimination in AI-assisted recruitment. This topic resonated strongly with the students, many of whom recognized how crucial fair and transparent AI governance will be for their future.
In small groups, the students explored self-chosen topics ranging from energy consumption and climate impact to the danger of AI-driven propaganda. They quickly understood that AI’s power comes with both promise and responsibility — and that young voices are essential in shaping its governance.
Despite critical reflections, a sense of optimism remained the dominant tone throughout the day. The students saw AI as a tool that, if used wisely, can greatly benefit society — while remaining aware that they must help decide how it is developed and applied.
This project day at Kaufmännische Schulen reminded us once again why YouthGovAI exists: to empower young people to actively engage with AI, to question it, to understand it, and ultimately, to shape it for the common good.
We are incredibly grateful for the lively debates, the sharp questions, and the inspiring ideas shared. Thank you to all the students who joined us on this journey — we look forward to seeing how you will continue to shape the future of AI!
