Beyond the Algorithm

“Beyond the Algorithm” is an international training course designed for youth workers who want to understand, critically engage with, and practically apply Artificial Intelligence tools in their professional practice. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life and work, youth workers play a crucial role in helping young people navigate its opportunities and challenges. This training brings together youth workers from across Europe in a non-formal learning environment, combining hands-on experimentation, peer exchange, and reflective practice. Participants will explore how AI tools can enhance youth work — from project planning and communication to digital inclusion and media literacy — while also developing the critical thinking skills needed to address AI's ethical and social dimensions with young people. The course draws on non-formal and experiential learning methodologies, ensuring that participants not only acquire knowledge but also develop practical competences they can immediately apply in their local youth work contexts.

Core Themes

• AI Literacy- Understanding how AI works, its types and limitations, in accessible, non-technical terms.
• Ethics & Critical Thinking-Exploring bias, privacy, misinformation, and responsible use of AI in a youth context.
• Practical AI Tools-Hands-on sessions with AI tools for communication, creativity, planning, and facilitation.
• Youth Inclusion-Applying AI knowledge to promote digital equity and inclusion among young people.

Objectives of the Mobility
● To increase participants' understanding of Artificial Intelligence — its concepts, mechanisms, and societal implications — in a way that is relevant to youth work practice.
● To develop participants' digital competences by providing hands-on experience with AI-powered tools applicable to non-formal education and youth work.
● To strengthen the capacity of youth workers to address AI-related topics — including ethics, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and digital rights — with young people in a safe and educational manner.
● To foster intercultural dialogue and European cooperation among youth workers from different countries, creating a shared framework for integrating AI into youth work.
● To support participants in developing action plans for integrating AI literacy into their local youth work programmes, projects, or organisations.
● To contribute to the professionalisation of the youth work sector by equipping practitioners with future-ready competences aligned with the digital age.

What youth workers will learn:

• Knowledge-Understand the key concepts behind AI, machine learning, and generative AI without needing a technical background.
• Critical lens-Identify and discuss ethical concerns, bias in algorithms, and the social impact of AI on young people and communities.
• Practical skills-Use AI tools (chatbots, image generators, data tools) confidently for project management, content creation, and youth engagement.
• Facilitation-Design and deliver non-formal educational activities that introduce AI topics to young people in engaging and age-appropriate ways.
• Digital citizenship-Support young people in becoming responsible, informed, and empowered users of AI-driven technologies.
• Action planning-Develop a concrete local action plan to bring AI literacy activities back to their organisation or youth group.