If you can’t tell what’s real anymore, how can you trust anything? We’re young, but we’re not just using AI to finish homework. We’re thinking about what it’s doing to the world around us. And honestly, it worries us more than people think.

When you watch a new Marvel movie filled with all the epic fight scenes, flawless visual effects, and a story that flows just perfect – can you really tell what was made by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what wasn’t?

Honestly, we don’t think we can. And that’s kind of scary.

As young people, we’re often accused of using AI to avoid doing our homework or writing essays ourselves. But the truth is, we actually think about AI a lot. Not just how to use it, but also the downsides, the risks, and how it’s already changing the world around us.

Even if adults don’t always realise it, we worry. A lot. We worry about everything from school stress and our futures to big global issues like climate change and war. And now, there’s something new on that list: Can we even tell what’s real anymore?

This time, we want to talk about the ability – or the inability – to spot AI.

So Why Are We Worried?

The main reason? AI is slowly becoming part of our everyday lives – and most of the time, we don’t even realise it.

It’s in social media feeds, visual art, advertising, customer service, and even how our personal data are processed, AI seems to be everywhere.

What makes it more confusing is that no one seems to agree on how to handle it. Some people are completely against it. Others encourage us to learn how to use it better.

„It is hard not to feel worried when even people responsible for us don’t know what to think“ says Ella (13).

From ChatGPT, Canva’s Magic Studio, Meta AI in our WhatsApp chats to all sorts of video-editing softwares. We see it being used in schools, businesses, art, entertainment, etc. It’s not a distant, sci-fi idea anymore. It’s part of our everyday tools.

„It is becoming so real that companies are using it to make money off people,”

says Hason (10). “They let AI write blog posts or these advice articles and act like it was written by a real person.”

Ella adds: I personally struggle with AI on Pinterest. A lot of the pictures are so perfect and stylised… it’s really hard to draw the line between what was made by an actual artist and what wasn’t.”

If we go back to the movies, or TV shows, or even video games and other entertainment – the problem isn’t just clearly fake explosions anymore. It’s that AI might be used behind almost every part of the process. From generating scripts and storylines to editing scenes and creating digital doubles of actors.

“I really like video games, all sorts,” says Harrison (13). “Sometimes I feel like it’s easy to spot AI, but I’m not always sure.”

We are worried because we are not Sure how to deal with this. „Should we learn more in schools? Are we learning enough? Should it be mandatory? What if I won’t be able to protect myself from scams or identity theft?“ Ella shares her worry.

So What Could Help?

What helps the most is to know that people are trying to do something about it. 

“It feels safer to know there’s a whole community of people noticing this issue, because that means there’s a better chance real action will happen,” Ella shares.

“When I listen to people who are in the same situation as me, even though it reminds me that my worries are real,  I know I’m not alone.” She continues

One idea that came up during our discussion was labelling. If AI-made stuff was clearly labelled, maybe more people would realise how often they’re actually seeing it. It could help people understand how common AI is and maybe they’d start thinking more about it.

But honestly, that’s not enough. We also need to learn more about it. Our schools should teach us about AI. 

Not just how to use it, but how it works, where it’s used, and what to watch out for. Right now, it feels too new for most teachers to really explain it. We get taught how to research things online, but when it comes to AI, no one seems to fully know. It still feels a bit mysterious.

More than anything, we think people should just talk about it more. Not in heated debates or big serious news – just in normal life. Like you’d talk about a new app or a movie.

“Imagine a show on TV or the radio where people guess if a picture or track were made by AI or not,” Ella suggested. “It sounds funny, but it could actually help people become more aware in a way that’s not too heavy or overwhelming.”

The main thing is, we don’t want to just sit around worrying. We want to ask questions, stay curious, and feel like we can be part of this.

Because if AI is going to be such a big part of our future, then we should be part of the conversation.

This story was created by young people as part of the Headliners Young Journalist programme. This project was made possible by the Million Hours Fund.