Never before in all of human history have the sleek threads of technology been so tightly woven into the tender fabric of a child’s daily existence. In the arena of technology and artificial intelligence, where innovation and implementation are developing at extraordinary speed, children and youth are being presented with extraordinary opportunities for learning and entertainment as well as substantial risks to their well-being and rights.

National Center for Youth Law’s briefing is a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders across the country to prioritize the interests and rights of children and youth in discussions about AI regulation and policy. The briefing raises critical issues such as the ethical implications of AI algorithms perpetuating biases and inequalities, particularly in the context of sensitive domains such as child welfare, juvenile justice, healthcare, education, and immigration, and the need to safeguard privacy, particularly for children and youth who will experience the lifelong impacts of these systems at a level unprecedented in human history. All stakeholders must view youth as thought partners in solving the problems they face and treasure their unique perspectives and contributions.