When asked about artificial intelligence, young people aged 10 to 18 offered a wide range of reactions, from indifference to deep concern, according to interviews conducted by MIT Technology Review. Many admitted to using AI at least occasionally, while others expressed strong opposition or disinterest.

Some teens described using AI for practical tasks like programming help or grammar checking, while others said they avoid it entirely. Hazel, a 17-year-old from New York, said she feels angry about AI, citing the environmental impact of data centers that consume large amounts of water and raise local temperatures. She advised other kids to "just stop using it."

In contrast, Danielle, an 18-year-old engineering student in California, is building a project called Next Voters that uses AI to summarize government documents for easier public access. She said she worries about misinformation and the loss of critical thinking, but believes AI can be used for good if handled responsibly.

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Remy, a 16-year-old from New York, compared current AI to "the first car or the first airplane"—interesting but crude. He uses AI for programming outside school but finds it makes school assignments worse, as teachers now require in-class writing to prevent cheating.

Wesley, a 14-year-old from Ohio, uses AI for grammar checking and debugging but wants to keep his creativity his own. He warned that AI content can be unfiltered and that users must stay in control.

Sylvia, a 10-year-old from Michigan, compared AI to a calculator, saying it helps but doesn't do everything for you. She expressed surprise when she discovered that songs she liked on Spotify were made by AI.

The interviews align with a February 2026 Pew Research Center survey showing that 57% of US teens have used chatbots for information, 54% for schoolwork, and 47% for fun. Only 12% used them for emotional support.

While concerns about harmful uses remain, the report suggests that many young people are using AI in innocuous ways and some are even building with it. The authors argue that the dangers of AI should be taught rather than avoided, similar to how teens are taught to drive safely.

Source: MIT Technology Review