OSCE trains young experts in risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence

From 15 to 17 December in Geneva, the OSCE Secretariat, in co-operation with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, organized a Winter School on the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on human rights compliance and youth perspectives. The event brought together 23 young participants representing the OSCE Pool of Young Experts and youth from the OSCE Partners for Co-operation, particularly the Mediterranean region.

Throughout the Winter School, participants engaged in discussions on the OSCE’s Youth and Security Agenda, the Organization’s work with its Partners for Co-operation, the interplay between science and diplomacy, the history of AI, and the risks and opportunities associated with AI use. 

Sessions led by invited Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and Representative on Freedom of the Media staff members also addressed freedom of thought and human rights in the age of AI. Participants also reflected on the security implications of emerging technologies and the responsible use of AI for professional purposes, while contributing as co-facilitators alongside OSCE staff members.

In her opening remarks, Senior External Co-operation Officer Gorica Atanasova-Gjorevska underlined the close relationship between youth and the use of new technologies, along with the importance of inter-regional exchange within the OSCE region and with its partner regions. “Young people are key to ensuring AI is used in line with human rights standards. It is essential to include young people in discussions on AI policies and regulations and engage them in dialogue on the links between AI, peace, and security” she said. She also added that “AI is not a standalone solution; it serves as a tool that supports and amplifies human effort.”

The programme included team-based exercises during which participants developed recommendations on youth engagement in AI-related policy discussions. One participant, Alia Al-Wir from Jordan, highlighted that young people often bring “out-of-the-box” thinking to policy processes. She stressed that meaningful youth engagement requires recognizing the diversity of young people and creating inclusive spaces that reflect the plurality of youth voices in AI policy debates.

Nikola Milicevic from Bosnia and Herzegovina added: “As a young person, I cannot view AI only as a technological advancement. For me, it is also a matter of human rights observation and responsibility. Young people bring valuable perspectives to AI debates by highlighting issues such as ethics, human rights, gender equality, and inclusiveness. This is why our voices matter, not as decoration in public debates, but as equal partners in the process.”

The Winter School concluded with a study visit to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), where participants explored the Data Centre Visitor Point and visited the ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) Exhibition and Experimental Cavern.