Today’s 15-year-olds can open a tool like ChatGPT and write: “I’m going to give you a history question. I need to answer it in one paragraph. Write it as if you were a 15-year-old student.” This kind of prompt is almost ideal—it’s clear, concise, and includes key elements: context (history), format (a paragraph), task (write the answer), and tone (teenage voice).
Some platforms even allow users to “chat” with historical figures and ask them about current issues.
Young people now have access to learning tools that past generations couldn’t have imagined. These tools can support skill development, but they can also be misused—guiding learning in the right direction or leading it astray.
We often refer to this generation as “digital natives,” yet access and ability to learn with digital tools still vary widely. According to the UN, even in the world’s richest countries, only 1 in 10 fifteen-year-olds uses digital devices for learning more than one hour per week.
This is why the 2025 World Youth Skills Day focuses on empowering young people through artificial intelligence and digital skills.
As AI reshapes economies, education and training must also adapt to equip the next generation not only to respond, but to lead.
Do we need to rethink education? Partly. Learning will continue to happen through interaction—mostly human, but also with machines. We must continue guiding learning through interactions that ensure the highest quality of knowledge while also nurturing empathy, values, and emotional growth. At the same time, it’s essential to ensure all young people gain the skills to understand and shape the use of artificial intelligence—so they can become active drivers of change and not be left behind without the competencies needed for today’s job market.
Associate Professor at University of Granada