Effective and safe use of AI

Nearly 72% of American teenagers aged 13–17 regularly use “AI companion” applications.

Effective and safe use of AI.

The survey results have raised concerns among psychologists that immersion in conversations and companionship with AI could leave young people feeling isolated in real life, damaging their mental health, even though the remarkable advances of AI are recognised as being partly beneficial to humans.

A survey conducted by the nonprofit organisation Common Sense Media on 1,060 teenagers showed a significant prevalence of “AI companion” applications such as Character.AI, Replika, and Nomi – platforms that differ from traditional virtual assistants by creating personal relationships, building emotional connections, and engaging in intimate conversations with users.

Among these, more than half use the platforms regularly, despite growing concerns about the impacts on mental health and data security.

About 30% of survey participants said they use chatbots for entertainment, while 28% are drawn by technological curiosity. 33% of teenagers have shared serious issues with AI instead of parents or relatives; 24% have disclosed personal information such as name and place of residence; 34% have felt uncomfortable with content generated by the chatbot but later viewed the platform as a confidant.

The report highlighted that although only a small proportion of users encounter risks, given the current widespread use, it cannot be ruled out that many teenagers will face negative effects.

The report also showed age-based differences, with the 13–14 age group tending to trust AI advice more than the 15–17 age group.

Common Sense Media recommended that under-18s should not use “AI companions” without stronger child protection measures.

According to the latest data from Eurostat, the European Statistical Office, the three European countries leading in AI adoption rates are Denmark, Sweden, and Belgium.

24.7% of Belgian businesses with more than 10 employees are using AI applications at work. This figure marks an astonishing leap–an increase of nearly 80% over the previous year.

Not only major technology corporations but also small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Belgium are quickly adopting AI.

Melina Krantz, an innovation expert at consulting firm Acerta Consult, noted that in 2024, AI use increased by 10% among small businesses, 13% among medium-sized businesses, and 18% among large companies. This growth is attributed to Belgium’s strong knowledge economy and intense competition in European and global markets.

The service sector remains the leading field in AI application (27.4%), but other sectors such as manufacturing (23%) and construction (10%) are also showing significant growth.

The most common AI applications include text mining, automatic text generation, and automation of repetitive tasks. However, AI adoption also poses considerable challenges.

25% of businesses expect to cut their workforce due to automation, while 30% believe employees will need to be retrained to adapt to the new technology.

Melina Krantz emphasised that workers need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to use AI effectively and safely.

NDO