#Next Generation Shapes the EU's Digital Society

<< Background >>The #NEXT project addressed the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in society, tackling key challenges such as lack of trust, ethical concerns, and limited youth engagement in AI governance. While AI offers innovation and economic growth, issues like bias, transparency, and accountability hinder public trust. The EU also faces market fragmentation and difficulties in attracting AI talent, lagging behind global leaders.Young people and youth organizations lack opportunities, digital literacy, and problem-solving skills to engage in AI policymaking. #NEXT aimed to bridge the gap between AI research, policy, and youth, equipping them with skills to critically assess, shape AI norms, and foster civic participation. Through training, an e-learning platform, curriculum development, and policy recommendations, the project empowered youth and youth workers to build a trustworthy AI ecosystem and actively contribute to AI governance in the EU.<< Objectives >>The #NEXT project aimed to increase trust in AI, enhance youth engagement in AI policymaking, and equip young people and youth workers with essential digital, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The key objectives were to:-Raise awareness about the role of AI in society, politics, and the labor market.-Bridge the gap between AI research, policymakers, and youth, ensuring inclusive discussions on AI ethics and governance.-Empower young people to critically assess AI and contribute to shaping its norms, policies, and ethical standards.-Develop educational resources, including a curriculum, toolkit, and e-learning platform, to enhance youth workers' and young people’s competencies in AI.-Promote civic participation, enabling youth to advocate for trustworthy AI development in Europe.-Through training, workshops, AI norm-shaping camps, and policy recommendations, the project supported a human-centric AI ecosystem, fostering digital inclusion, ethical awareness, and responsible innovation.<< Implementation >>A wide range of activities was implemented throughout the #NEXT project, including:-Content development for key project outputs:#NEXT Documentary to raise awareness about AI.#NEXT Curriculum on soft skills for AI literacy.#NEXT Toolkit for Trainers with interactive learning resources.#NEXT e-Learning Platform to provide online access to project materials.#NEXT Policy Recommendations to support AI governance.-Organization of training and engagement activities, such as:-Evaluation of project implementation, including feedback collection through questionnaires and participant input on project activities.-Translation of project content into Polish, Romanian, Czech, Greek, Turkish, and German to ensure accessibility for all target groups.-Transnational collaboration, including five face-to-face project meetings and ten online coordination meetings among partners.-Dissemination activities, including:Creation of the project website and social media engagement. Production and sharing of newsletters, an e-leaflet, and a promotional video. Organization of six national multiplier events to promote project results.<< Results >>Result 1:#NEXT DocumentaryAs part of the result, #NEXT videos were produced, on promoting understanding and trust in artificial intelligence in society. The document was produced in four videos, which is available in the languages of the partners: The videos are visible to all on the project website and YouTube channel.The documentary, which is a motivational video, aims to provide an accessible introduction to what artificial intelligence is, its current capabilities and potential future applications. It is intended to encourage responsible attitudes and reduce concerns about conspiracy theories about AI.They are available directly via this link:https://next.erasmus.site/next-documentary/ Result 2:#NEXT Curriculum on improving young people’s critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills on building trust AIIt is a curriculum aimed at developing soft skills and critical thinking in young people in the context of confidence in artificial intelligence (AI). The outcome essentially consists of educational materials and a curriculum aimed at young people and youth workers. The online program informs and trains participants in effectively understanding the basic principles of AI, teaching them how to think critically and build trust in AI. Through this program, participants can acquire essential competencies in the context of AI, supporting the project's goal of promoting active civic engagement in shaping AI norms. The program is divided into 6 thematic learning units, covering topics such as an introduction to AI, engagement in AI, process aspects, soft skills training planning, case studies, and public relations. The materials is available in 7 languages and can be accessed via the following link: https://next.erasmus.site/next-curriculum-on-teaching-soft-skills/ #NEXT Curriculum on improving young people’s critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills on building trust AI_Content Units_The program consists of six thematic modules covering key topics related to AI. They include an introduction to AI, AI engagement, process aspects, soft skills training planning, case studies, and public relations. Materials are available in seven languages at https://next.erasmus.site/next-curriculum-on-teaching-soft-skills/ Result 3:#NEXT Tool-kit for trainersThe ‘Tool-kit for trainers’ is a toolkit for trainers to support youth educators and youth workers in teaching about artificial intelligence (AI) and developing AI-related competences. Essentially, the deliverable consists of a multilingual training toolkit with NFE (Non-Formal Education) tools and guidelines for direct use. The toolkit aims to provide a structured and relevant response to the needs of young people in the context of educational challenges related to the dynamic development of technology and the impact of global events. With this toolkit, trainers and educators can effectively teach about AI, use innovative teaching methods and engage young people in AI-related activities. The materials is available in 7 languages (English, Polish, Romanian, Czech, German, Turkish, and Greek) and can be accessed via the following link: https://next.erasmus.site/next-tool-kit-for-trainers/ Result 4:#NEXT eLearning platformAn e-learning platform that aims to provide resources and tools for learning about artificial intelligence (AI) online. The deliverable consists of an accessible multilingual online learning platform with training materials. The e-learning platform aims to support self-learning, digital learning and distance learning in AI. Through this platform, young people, youth workers and other interested parties can acquire knowledge and develop competences related to AI in a flexible and interactive way. The platform offers a variety of features such as an instructional video section, e-learning modules, support documents and videos. The platform is available in 7 partner languages: Czech, English, German, Greek, Turkish, Polish and Romanian.Direct links:https://next-ai.thinkific.com/courses/NEXT Result 6:#NEXT Policy RecommendationThe outcome is a set of policy recommendations to shape standards and regulations for artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe. The outcome essentially consists of a report with proposals for governments and quality agencies to improve the AI industry. The policy recommendations aim to answer key questions about trust in AI, AI education, the quality and availability of AI resources. With these recommendations, policy makers, government agencies and other stakeholders can take more informed and effective action on AI development and regulation. The report includes recommendations at the EU level and recommendations for local governments. The Policy Recommendation are available in English and in the national languages of the project partners.Direct links: https://next.erasmus.site/next-policy-recommendation/