The Erasmus+ youth workers mobility project “Youth Work in the AI Era”, held in Kaunas, Lithuania, became a space not only for learning about artificial intelligence, but also for discussion, reflection, and exploring the challenges that come with rapidly changing technology.
The training course took place from March 16–25 and brought together participants from seven European countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Romania, and Spain. They were united by one common goal: to better understand the changing technological environment and gain practical skills needed for working with young people in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). However, from the very first days, it became clear that the project would focus on much more than technology alone.
The first days of the mobility were dedicated to something often forgotten in the digital world: human connection. Participants worked on creating a safe learning environment while sharing their experiences, challenges, and expectations. Discussions revealed different realities across Europe. In some countries, technology is already an important part of everyday youth work, while in others, digital exclusion and limited access to technology remain significant challenges.
An important part of the training was enriched by guest speaker and AI expert Dainora Pavalkytė, who delivered two engaging presentations. In the session “What Is Artificial Intelligence? Myths, Reality, and Misconceptions,” participants explored common myths surrounding AI and learned how to critically evaluate them. Another session, “Ethical Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Dilemmas in Youth Work,” focused on complex situations youth workers may face when applying AI in practice. These sessions not only expanded participants’ knowledge, but also encouraged a more thoughtful and reflective approach to technology.
Later, the training moved into a more practical phase. Participants explored various AI tools and tested them by creating educational content, generating ideas, and planning activities. The workshops allowed them to discover new opportunities while also critically examining the limitations of AI. Discussions focused on important questions such as how much technology can be trusted and where the line between assistance and dependency begins.
Ethics was another key focus of the project. Participants explored topics such as algorithmic bias, disinformation, data security, and the possible loss of human connection in the digital age. Through discussions and simulations, they analyzed real-life situations in which artificial intelligence can have both positive and negative impacts on young people. These activities encouraged not only understanding, but also responsibility, highlighting that AI should remain a tool, not a decision-maker.
The project also focused on participants’ emotional well-being alongside their professional development. During the training, participants had the opportunity to attend individual sessions with a professional psychologist, giving them space to reflect, pause, and take care of their emotional health throughout the intensive program.
One of the most important outcomes of the training was learning how to balance technology with human values. Through teamwork, participants developed methodologies aimed at helping young people not only use AI, but also understand how it works, critically assess information, and maintain authentic relationships with the world around them. They also explored ways to transfer this knowledge to their organizations and local communities.
Reflection played an important role throughout the project. Every day, participants evaluated what they had learned, what had surprised them, and how they could apply these insights in their work. Many shared that the experience helped them not only better understand artificial intelligence, but also gain more confidence in working with new technologies.
An inseparable part of the experience was also discovering Kaunas itself. Participants joined a guided city tour led by a professional guide, where they learned more about the city’s history and culture while strengthening connections with one another in an informal setting.
“Proper preparation and access to information allow us to use different GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) tools to strengthen youth work,” one participant shared.
“Youth Work in the AI Era” became more than just a training course. It became a space where participants explored a new perspective: while the future of youth work will increasingly involve technology, its true essence will always remain the same: people, connection, and community.
The project was funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme.
