On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Villa Gabriella, home of JUMP – Gioventù in RiSalto, a group of young people gathered to discuss, understand, and exchange ideas about artificial intelligence through a targeted focus group.The experience was particularly rich and comprehensive: participants, inspired by numerous prompts, actively engaged with one another, sharing meaningful reflections and in-depth insights. The guidance of Erika Gerardini was also fundamental, as she supported the group throughout the entire process.The young participants agreed that artificial intelligence is an important resource, while also highlighting several significant gaps that should be addressed.
During the meeting, they were asked which apps they use most frequently, whether they use them for personal or school-related purposes, and what actions they believe are necessary to promote broader, safer, and more informed knowledge of the digital world.Many reported using tools such as ChatGPT and Perplexity for both personal and academic purposes. Almost unanimously, they stated that artificial intelligence can be a valuable aid to learning, provided that users do not rely entirely on the information it provides, as it may sometimes be inaccurate.Some of the more knowledgeable participants also pointed out the significant progress made in artificial intelligence, emphasizing that its capabilities will continue to improve over time.
However, concerns and critical reflections were also raised: some participants expressed worries that new technologies might eventually replace humans or make it difficult to keep up with rapidly evolving knowledge. For this reason, the young people strongly advocate for more projects, research initiatives, and opportunities for discussion in which they can actively participate, make their voices heard, and preserve the importance of human interaction while reducing existing gaps.The young participants see themselves as an integral part of progress and express a strong desire to contribute more actively to its development.
Author: Ms Maria Lagani, psychology graduate- Master’s student. Research Team for JUMP staff (Italy)