Enact AI © 2026. All right reserved
Empowering Youth: Navigating Democracy and Active Citizenship in Times of AI
Empowering Youth: Navigating Democracy and Active Citizenship in Times of AI
The EnactAI Knowledge Hub is a free, multilingual resource library for young people, youth workers, and anyone interested in understanding artificial intelligence through the lens of democracy, ethics, and active citizenship. All resources are available as Open Educational Resources (OER) — free to use, adapt, and share — and remain accessible beyond the project lifetime.
WHAT IS AI?
Artificial intelligence refers to machine-based systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence — such as recognising patterns, generating text, making recommendations, or translating language. AI systems learn from large amounts of data, which means they can reflect and amplify existing biases and inequalities. Understanding how AI works — and who controls it — is a fundamental democratic skill. For the purposes of this project, we use the definition established by the EU AI Act (Article 3, 2023).
AI & DEMOCRACY
AI is increasingly used in contexts that directly affect democratic life: content moderation on social platforms, algorithmic systems in public services, AI-assisted political advertising, and the automation of decisions about jobs, loans, and housing. Young people have both the right and the responsibility to engage with these systems — to understand, question, challenge, and help shape how they are governed.
GENERATIVE AI & POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Generative AI can be a valuable resource for democratic participation — for example, by helping filter politically relevant content, verify media content for accuracy, or improve access to political information. At the same time, it introduces significant risks: deepfakes, disinformation, and the manipulation of public opinion. Critical AI literacy is the foundation for navigating these challenges.
Key concepts • Algorithm — A set of rules a computer follows to solve a problem or make a decision. • Machine learning — A type of AI where systems learn from data without being explicitly programmed. • Bias in AI — When an AI system produces unfair or discriminatory results, often reflecting biased training data. • Deepfake — AI-generated media (video, audio, image) that realistically depicts something that did not happen. • Algorithmic transparency — The degree to which an AI system’s workings can be understood and explained. • Digital rights — Rights individuals have in relation to digital technologies, including privacy, access, and non-discrimination. • Open Educational Resources (OER) — Teaching and learning materials that are freely available for anyone to use, adapt, and redistribute. • EU AI Act — The first comprehensive EU law on artificial intelligence, establishing rules for AI systems based on their risk level.
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Learning Resources
Resource categories
Starter reads: Short articles and explainers for beginners — no technical background needed. Topics include recognising AI-generated content, understanding algorithmic feeds, and knowing your digital rights.
Deep dives: More detailed materials on specific topics — AI and elections, bias and discrimination, data privacy, the EU AI Act, and more.
Activity packs: Ready-to-use workshop activities, discussion guides, and games for non-formal group settings — including Bar-camp and Hackathon frameworks.
Video & media: Short videos (Shorts, Reels), podcasts, and interactive tools explaining AI and its impact on democratic processes — tailored for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Policy documents: Key EU and international documents on AI governance, youth rights, and digital policy — annotated for non-specialist readers.
Multimedia resources: Tools developed by project partners from all four countries, adapted for cross-national use and available in multiple languages.
Interactive Learning
The EnactAI interactive learning platform offers structured learning pathways for young people and youth workers — combining self-paced online modules with live sessions, peer learning, and collaborative activities. The platform is designed as blended learning, offering variety and range to suit diverse groups and contexts. It will be available at [target date]. Register below to be notified at launch.
Ethics is not an add-on to AI — it is at the core of how AI systems are designed, deployed, and governed. This section explores key ethical dimensions of AI through the lens of youth work, democratic values, and everyday life. It draws on the EU AI Act, GDPR, the European Democracy Action Plan, and the EnactAI Code of Conduct.
Topics covered
Fairness & non-discrimination: How AI can reproduce and amplify inequality — particularly for marginalised groups — and what we can do about it.
Privacy & data rights: What happens to your data when you use AI tools, and your rights under GDPR.
Transparency & explainability: Why it matters that AI systems can be understood and questioned by those they affect.
Human oversight: The importance of keeping humans in control of consequential decisions — especially those affecting young people.
AI & political manipulation: How AI is used to spread disinformation, create deepfakes, and influence political opinion — and how to recognise it.
Environmental impact: The energy and resource costs of AI systems, and why sustainable AI matters.
Legal frameworks: An accessible overview of the EU AI Act and its implications for working with AI tools in educational settings.
Enact AI © 2026. All right reserved