Growing role of AI in youth services could put young people at risk
With AI use growing across the youth services sector, new research by Swinburne University of Technology and Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) has, for the first time, identified key risks to young people and how to address them.
The growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in youth services presents new risks to young people, according to research conducted by Swinburne University of Technology and the Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic). For the first time, this joint study identified key risks and provided a toolkit to address them, co-led by Swinburne’s Dr. Joel McGregor.
The toolkit includes practical resources such as an AI Use Matrix, an AI Decision Making Checklist, and a Transparency, Disclosure and Consent Guide. McGregor emphasizes that trust is essential in youth work, and without open communication, there is a risk of inadvertently causing harm through AI use. AI can create ethical concerns, undermine trust, and shape how young people are documented and supported.
For instance, case documents generated by AI may focus on a young person’s challenges while neglecting their strengths, support networks, and progress, influencing subsequent interactions and decisions. Prathiksha Ashok Raj Kumar, a youth peer facilitator at YACVic, highlights the importance of including young people’s perspectives in discussions about AI use, noting that while they may not be afraid of new technology, they want it to be used ethically and transparently.
Sam Champion, YACVic’s Participation and Development Manager, stresses that young people’s rights must be prioritized, and this toolkit offers practical guidance for organizations to use AI in a way that is safe, transparent, and centered around young people.
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