Deadline: 17-Oct-2025
The Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy is inviting applications for its Gen(Z)AI Program to ensure young Canadians have a say in shaping the policies that govern these technologies.
The Gen(Z)AI Youth Forums explore four key themes shaping the future of artificial intelligence: AI & Chatbots (Nov. 7–9, 2025) focuses on the safe use of chatbots in everyday life; AI & Information Integrity (Jan. 30–Feb. 1) examines how to ensure online information remains reliable and factual; AI & Data Privacy (Feb. 20–22) addresses what user data should be collected and protected; and AI & Age Assurance (Mar. 27–29) discusses how to verify users’ ages while safeguarding privacy, digital rights, and access to information.
These forums, held in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax, offer a platform for youth to engage directly with AI-related policy issues through structured deliberations and expert-led discussions. Citizens’ assemblies are established processes used globally to ensure that regular people’s voices inform decision-making on complex issues, and Gen(Z)AI adopts this model to capture youth perspectives on fairness, safety, and trust in AI.
Each regional forum follows a three-day format designed to balance learning, deliberation, and collaboration. The first day features a virtual expert learning session with all 100 participants. The second day involves 25 in-person representatives engaging in intensive dialogue at their respective regional locations, while the final day connects all participants in a hybrid session combining in-person and virtual participation.
Although this is a volunteer-based initiative, the 25 in-person participants at each forum will receive meals, merchandise, and travel stipends when necessary. Every participant’s name will be recognized in regional and final reports, which will hold national resonance. Additionally, each participant will receive a certificate acknowledging their contribution to this deliberative process.
Participants will gain the opportunity to learn from leading AI experts, collaborate with peers across the country, and propose actionable policy solutions that may influence future AI legislation in Canada. The Gen(Z)AI Youth Forums bring together young Canadians aged 17 to 23 to participate in a national citizens’ assembly on artificial intelligence.
Selected participants are required to attend a virtual orientation, one in-person forum, three virtual sessions corresponding to other regions, and a final plenary session in Ottawa to present their collective findings to policymakers, politicians, and public servants.
Selection will be conducted through a lottery system that ensures diversity and inclusion, reflecting Canada’s demographic makeup. The program particularly encourages applications from Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and newcomer youth, as well as those from rural and remote communities.
The deadline for applications is 17 October 2025.
For more information, visit Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy.