# How Do Young People Feel About AI? 7 Teens Weigh In
NPR surveyed seven teenagers across the United States to understand their perspectives on artificial intelligence and its role in their education and daily lives. The conversations reveal how Gen Z students navigate learning, work, and social interactions in an era when AI tools have become routine.
The teens expressed mixed feelings about AI in school. Some see generative AI as a practical tool for brainstorming and overcoming writer's block, while others worry about academic integrity and whether using AI constitutes cheating. Several students noted tension between their teachers' policies on AI use, which vary widely by school and subject, and the reality that AI is embedded in apps they already use daily.
Beyond academics, the teenagers discussed AI's presence in social media algorithms that shape what content they see, entertainment recommendations, and job market concerns. A few expressed anxiety about their future employment prospects in fields increasingly automated by AI systems. Others viewed learning how to work alongside AI as a necessary skill for any career path.
The teens also highlighted generational differences. Unlike older adults who may feel anxiety about AI's rapid advancement, these students grew up with algorithmic systems and view AI as something to understand and adapt to rather than fear. However, they also expressed desire for clearer guidance from educators and policymakers about how to use these tools responsibly.
Parents and teachers often lack frameworks for addressing AI in schools, leaving students to figure out ethical boundaries themselves. The conversations underscore how teenagers are developing their own norms around AI use without formal instruction on digital ethics or AI literacy.
The NPR survey offers a snapshot of how young people are thinking about technology that will shape their educational and professional futures.