“AI will not replace our ability to think” | AI: new generation

Between fascination and vigilance

It’s inspiring, but it’s scary too, because it’s not the truth confides Jérémie about synthetic images. Rita notices the omnipresence of AI on social networks, where it sometimes becomes invasive while Camila worries about the risk of intellectual laziness: Humans like what is simple. His solution? Set limits on yourself. Noémie agrees: You have to use it for ideas, to go beyond the blank page… but afterward, you have to know how to choose wisely.

Thoughtful uses

These observations emerge from workshops on AI organized by - during the fall of 2024 in public libraries. The initiative aims to demystify technology among young people while cultivating their critical thinking.

Throughout the discussions, the uses of AI reveal themselves to be as varied as they are creative. Raphaël finds support there for his dyslexia, gaining confidence in French. Zakaria uses it to program: It’s literally a teaching tool. I create video games, I’m a beginner, and AI allows me to learn faster. When it comes to writing CVs, many see it as valuable help, while ensuring their authenticity is preserved. Same observation when we talk about dating applications: no question of pretending to be someone else.

Zora summarizes the situation: if the parents are afraid that it will replace the ability to think for her it is about learning to use AI wisely, like social networks.

Voices to hear

Several reports highlight the importance of making more room for young people in discussions on the supervision and development of AI. In a report published in 2024, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) recommends to include children and adolescents in the research and development of AI technologies . A position that is consistent with the Strategic Guidance on AI for children published by UNICEF in 2021.

For Yoshua Bengio, founder and scientific director of Mila, the Quebec artificial intelligence institute, young people are not heard enough in these debates. AI will change the world, he says. The decisions we make must take into account the interests of everyone. A concern that Jérémie shares: AI is an extraordinary tool. The important thing is to learn how to use it well, while respecting what is fundamentally human.

AI: new generation

The reflections of young people intersect with those of researchers, artists and professionals in a special program on Sunday January 5 at 8 p.m. h on HERE Premiere with Chloé Sondervorst. Together, they explore four dimensions of our future with AI: learning, creation, work and social relationships.

Guests: Sasha Luccioni, head of AI and climate at Hugging Face, Yoshua Bengio, scientific director of Mila, the Quebec artificial intelligence institute, Martine Bertrand, specialist in artificial intelligence, Industrial, Light and Magic, Noel Baldwin , Director General, Center for Future Skills, Andréane Sabourin Laflamme, professor of philosophy at Collège André-Laurendeau and co-founder of the Digital and AI Ethics Laboratory, Keivan Farzaneh, senior technopedagogical advisor at Collège Sainte-Anne, Kerlando Morette, entrepreneur, president and founder of AddAd Media, Jocelyne Agnero, project manager, Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi Centre-Ville de Montréal, Douaa Kachache, comedian, Matthieu Dugal, host, Marie-José Montpetit, researcher in digital technologies and Elias Djemil Matassov, multidisciplinary artist.

These workshops were organized in the Julio-Jean-Pierre library in Montreal North, the Monique-Corriveau library in Quebec and the Créalab of the Robert-Lussier library in Repentigny with the participation of students and teachers from the De Rochebelle and Henri- Bourassa as well as students and professors from Cégep de Lanaudière in L’Assomption, and with the collaboration of IVADO and the Association of Public Libraries of Quebec.