Media Monitor: Young People Exhibit Complex Relationship with AI, MIT Technology Review Reports

MIT Technology Review is reporting that young people aged 10 to 18 hold nuanced and often indifferent views toward artificial intelligence, despite many admitting to using it. The publication found that while some teens use AI for schoolwork or entertainment, others express deep concerns about its societal and environmental impacts.

MIT Technology Review said it expected to hear about cheating or inspiring uses, but instead encountered responses ranging from "bruh" and "meh" to strong opposition. One 17-year-old, Winter, expressed fear that AI could be "the end of creativity and critical thinking." Another teen, Hazel, 17, cited environmental concerns, specifically the water and heat consumption of data centers, as a reason to avoid AI.

Despite these reservations, most young people interviewed by the publication admitted to using AI at least occasionally. Many of their initial encounters with AI came through parents or schools, or it was simply embedded in existing devices and apps like Google search. A February 2026 survey by the Pew Research Center, cited by MIT Technology Review, found that 57% of U.S. teens had used chatbots for information, 54% for schoolwork, and 47% for fun. Only 12% used them for emotional support.

The publication highlighted various uses among young people. Remy, 16, uses AI for programming outside of school but finds it hinders in-class writing. Danielle, 18, is using AI to power "Next Voters," a project that condenses government documents into plain-language summaries to boost civic engagement. Wesley, 14, uses AI for grammar checks and debugging code, and for creating interactive characters on platforms like Character.AI. Sylvia, 10, uses a school program for writing ideas and revisions, while Evelyn, 13, relies on AI in her glucose monitor and insulin pump for managing type 1 diabetes. Krishiv, 17, developed an AI tutor called Aceflow and later CheetahPrep.com for SAT preparation, aiming to provide personalized education.

MIT Technology Review concluded that while dangers like unfiltered content and misinformation exist, these are reasons to teach responsible AI use rather than to avoid it. The publication suggested that young people, with their clear understanding of what they will and will not delegate to AI, might have much to teach adults about its future.

Full Article: How kids feel about AI, in their own words