At Future Youth Zone, we believe in equipping young people with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the modern world. That’s why we’re excited to announce that we are piloting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of our youth work sessions—ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to explore, understand, and benefit from this rapidly advancing technology.
AI is already shaping the world around us, and we want to make sure that young people in Barking and Dagenham are not left behind. The digital divide—the gap between those with access to digital tools and those without—continues to grow, particularly for young people facing socioeconomic challenges. At Future Youth Zone, we are determined to bridge that divide by introducing AI in a way that is accessible, engaging, and relevant to their everyday lives.
One example of how we’re using AI in our sessions is in our cooking sessions. Young people can now use AI to input the ingredients they have left in the cupboard and receive instant recipe suggestions, helping them develop cooking skills while also learning how technology can be a problem-solving tool. This makes sessions more interactive and encourages young people to think creatively about how digital tools can support them in real-life situations.
But our ambitions don’t stop there. Through a partnership with OnSide and leading digital experts, we will be rolling out a structured programme to introduce young people to AI in a way that balances creativity with technical learning. From using AI to generate digital art to exploring how these tools can help with career opportunities in STEM, the programme will ensure that young people can engage with technology in a way that is both fun and meaningful.
We are also investing in training our youth workers so they feel confident in supporting young people to use AI safely and effectively. Through a “train-the-trainer” model, staff will gain hands-on experience with AI tools, enabling them to guide young people through sessions that are engaging, relevant, and future-focused.
This is just the beginning of our journey into AI at Future Youth Zone. As we continue to develop this programme, we will be working closely with young people to ensure that AI is being used in a way that excites and inspires them. We believe that, by embracing technology, we can empower young people with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a digital-first world—no matter their background.
We are incredibly excited about this pilot and look forward to seeing how AI can enhance youth work, inspire creativity, and open up new opportunities for the young people of Barking and Dagenham.
