Mission Statement from NAMLE’s Youth Advisory Council
In a world where AI is seen as the solution to everything—from climate change to career success—it’s more important than ever to use it responsibly and ethically. That’s why NAMLE’s Youth Advisory Council launched the AI Awareness Project, a video series exploring how young people understand and engage with AI. Through “man-on-the-street” interviews with youth and AI expert conversations, the campaign bridges the gap between perception and reality, promoting stronger AI and media literacy.
By comparing youth and expert responses, the council uncovered both shared understandings and major misconceptions about AI’s role and purpose. These findings highlight the urgent need for media literacy education and the importance of preparing young people (much like ourselves!) to navigate an AI-driven world.
AI shouldn’t replace classroom learning, work, or human relationships—it should enhance them. But challenges like bias, misinformation, and fact-checking still stand in the way. The campaign tackles these issues head-on with accessible, engaging content that helps viewers understand both the possibilities and limits of AI. Its goal is to help keep humans at the center of innovation, guiding AI’s future—not being overshadowed by it.
Man-on-the-Street Interviews
In the “man-on-the-street” interviews, council members Lucia and Flora spoke with teens in their respective hometowns in New York and California. This setting allowed them to capture a wide range of student perspectives, from those who use AI often to those just beginning to explore it. Their goal was to gather honest, in-the-moment reactions to see what youth really understand about AI and where misconceptions still exist. Check out Lucia’s interview here, and Flora’s interview here.
AI Expert Interviews
For the expert interviews, council members Eashan and Khadeejah spoke with leaders in the AI-in-education space to help contextualize the youth perspectives gathered. Their insights offered a deeper look into how AI is shaping classrooms, policy, and teacher practice. These conversations helped us to better understand the gap between what young people believe AI can do and how it’s actually developed, implemented, and used in real educational settings. Check out Eashan’s interview here, and Khadeejah’s interview here.
Meet the experts featured in the Project:
Christian serves as the VP of External Affairs & Advocacy at aiEDU, leading the organization’s partnerships, communications, and advocacy work. His role works to convene stakeholders, inform systemic change, and amplify the organization’s voice in the national AI education landscape. He works closely with school districts, NGOs, and policymakers to drive meaningful change, ensuring AI readiness is prioritized at local, state, and federal levels.
In addition to his work at aiEDU, Christian also sits on the California Department of Education’s AI in Education Workgroup, serves as a board member for Small Steps for Change, and serves on several national advisory committees around AI and education.
Previously, Christian worked on developing education programs at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, collaborating with multidisciplinary communities to pursue AI research and address its societal implications. He started his career as a STEM educator in San Diego.
Amanda is the Co-Founder and CEO of AI for Education. A former high school biology teacher and EdTech executive with over 20 years of experience in the education sector. She has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that AI can offer. She is a frequent consultant, speaker, and writer on the topic of AI in education, leading workshops and professional learning across both K12 and Higher Ed. Amanda is committed to helping schools and teachers maximize their potential through the ethical and equitable adoption of AI.
Youth Council Member Contributions
Mission Statement: Pranav and Sadie
Man-on-the-Street Interviews: Lucia and Flora
Expert Interviews: Eashan and Khadeejah
Video Editing: Maggie