• Four Gen(Z)AI Youth Forums make up one citizens’ assembly on AI. Citizens’ assemblies are well-established processes used in Canada and around the world, to help governments, academics, and civil society organizations hear regular people’s thoughts about complex policy issues. These assemblies are typically made up of several dozen randomly selected participants who represent the demographic profile of a certain region or area. Participation is voluntary.

• Over 600 assembly processes have taken place around the world, helping to create innovative policy solutions, enable collaborative problem-solving, and build public democratic energy & engaged citizens.

• For more information watch this video.

• Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the way we work, live, think, and interact. And while young Canadians are some of the most digitally connected people, we remain largely absent from formal decision-making powers around these technologies and our perspectives on fairness, safety, and trust in AI remain unheard.

• By joining Gen(Z)AI, you will get to learn about AI from some of the world’s leading AI experts, make friends, deliberate in-person and online with other young people, and propose actionable policy solutions that have the potential to impact Canadian AI legislation. Your name will be recognized in each forum’s report as well as the final cumulative report.

• Over the last few years, the Canadian federal government has announced billions of dollars to boost Canada’s AI industry, and accelerate AI research, development, and deployment. But, while the government is betting big on boosting Canada’s AI capacity, many Canadians remain skeptical, critical, and even afraid of these rapidly evolving technologies. 

• Young people are missing from the policy conversation about how we want AI to impact our social, work, and social life. Gen(Z)AI fills that gap by bringing you directly into the policymaking process for AI so that you can have your voice heard!

• All Canadian youth between the ages of 17 and 23 are eligible to apply. Applicants must currently live in Canada.

• If you are selected to participate, you are required to:

  • Attend our 2-hour virtual orientation for all participants 

  • Attend one 3-day forum, in person in either Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, or Halifax

  • Virtually join the first and last days of the remaining three forums

  • Attend, either virtually or in-person, a final plenary session in Ottawa, Ontario, to present the findings of Gen(Z)AI to policymakers, politicians, and public servants 

• Each regional session follows a 3 day structure:

  • Day 1 (fully virtual) brings all 100 participants together for a 4-hour expert online learning session. 

  • Day 2 convenes 25 regional representatives (in person) for a full day of deliberative dialogue. Participants not attending in-person get this day off. 

  • Day 3 (hybrid) brings together the 25 regional representatives in person and the 75 other representatives virtually 

• This is a volunteer position. However, the 25 participants at each regional forum will be provided food (breakfast and lunch) and merch, and travel stipends are available for participants who require transportation to and from the regional sessions. Your name will also be listed in all the regional reports and the final report, which will have national public resonance and reach.

• Applications will be open from October 1-17, 2025, and will be promoted nationally via social media, high schools, universities, and youth-serving organizations. Participants will then be chosen through a lottery system that accounts for diversity and inclusion.

• We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and newcomer youth, as well as youth from rural and remote communities.

• The selected participant pool will reflect the demographic makeup of Canada, accounting for the narrower age range of 17-23. 

• Yes, youth who are selected to participate will be expected to attend all 4 forums as well as the final plenary session.

• Each participant will receive a certificate recognizing their impact in this deliberative process. 

• Yes, you can still participate! We have a limited number of travel stipends available for people who live outside the regional sessions, and are willing to travel to attend. 

• Absolutely. This is a movement for youth, by youth: We want to hear your voices and your experiences – that’s what makes you an expert in these topics. Every regional session will also include an intensive learning session at the beginning where world-leading experts will set the foundation for the discussions you’ll have over the next two days. You will leave Gen(Z)AI with a strong understanding of some of today’s most important policy issues – from AI ethics, to data privacy, to disinformation. 

Yes, each regional session will have bilingual options. We will use a translation service to provide live-interpretation during the in-person sessions.

• This project is a joint effort between the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy (MTD), The Dialogue on Technology Project (DoT), and Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute. Each regional forum will be led by one of MTD’s Youth Fellows – read more about their background and stories here!

• This project is funded by The Walton’s Trust, CIFAR, and Mila.