We concluded the event in Pinterest’s NYC office, blocks from where 300 renowned scientists and leaders had recently called for “red lines” on AI. We asked participants to picture the AI future they wanted to see. We saw children relaxing in fields of lush green grass, AI-powered scientific discovery, and intertwined hands lifting each other up — a future where access and equity are built in.

Most importantly, we saw each other in person. We were able to shake hands and embrace. It was a relief to meet people who care as much as we do.

We discussed how we can play larger roles in shaping AI’s impact and how we can prepare ourselves to thrive. A remark Jiore made about ‘dark hope’ stayed with us.
“[The old way] is not possible anymore, so once you let that go, you have some freedom, and then imagining how you can contribute to what’s coming next, and that’s where I find the hope.”

AI is not just in the future; it’s here. On our phones. In our relationships. Inside our institutions, and perhaps most importantly, in our heads. That’s why we need more honest conversations about its impact, more young people shaping what comes next, and more spaces that protect our humanity.

We’re told to worry that AI “beats” humans on metric after metric, as if scoring high on some standardized measure of intelligence is what gives our lives meaning. Yes, we need to be more ingenious and determined. We also need room to make mistakes, to be imperfect, to be scared. These are the conditions that allow us to build trust — and trust fuels human flourishing, democracy, and hope for a better future.

Two truths can live together. It’s never felt harder to be young. It’s never held more possibilities. The future is uncertain, and we still have agency. The story of AI won’t just be written in labs or halls of Congress. It will be written in the questions we ask, the choices we make, and the communities we build. If you remember one thing, let it be this: think about AI, and talk about it with friends, classmates, coworkers, and family. The more we talk, the clearer it is that this story isn’t just about technology. It’s about being human, together.