By Efe ERGİŞİ, Youth Speaker | Youth Section | Compulsory Peace & ICT Education Campaign in Support of the International Day of Democracy, organized and presented virtually by Light Millennium Global along with the Coalition on September 13, 2025.
#CompulsoryPeaceICTEducation | #DemocracyDay

Background / Concept / Expected Outcomes  |  Bio of the Speakers & Profiles of the Participating Orgs.

Introduction:

[LMGlobal.Org] Speaking as a high school student, Efe Ergişi examines the dual nature of artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology (IT) in education. He acknowledges their potential to personalize learning and foster global empathy but warns of significant risks, including the reinforcement of biases, the widening of digital inequality, and a potential decline in critical thinking. Efe concludes by proposing a balanced approach: using technology to support, not replace, teachers; prioritizing digital literacy; and ensuring equitable access to technology for all students to build a more peaceful and democratic society.

Hello everyone,

My name is Efe Ergisi, I’m 16 years old, I’m a junior at Bard High School Early College, Queens, and today I’d like to share my perspective on the use of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology in K–12 education—and how it can affect peace and democracy.

AI and IT are transforming schools. On the positive side, they can personalize learning. Imagine a student struggling with math but excelling in reading—AI can adapt lessons to their needs. Technology also connects students across cultures, allowing us to collaborate globally. These experiences can foster empathy, mutual understanding, and even peace, since we learn to see the world from different perspectives.

But there are also serious challenges. AI tools can reflect hidden biases, sometimes reinforcing inequality instead of reducing it. If access to technology is unequal—some schools with advanced digital tools, others with almost none—the gap between students will widen. That kind of inequality can create frustration, division, and mistrust, which are harmful for both peace and democracy.

Another risk is over-reliance. If students always trust AI to provide answers, they may lose the habit of questioning information. But democracies rely on citizens who can think critically, evaluate evidence, and disagree respectfully. Without these skills, misinformation can spread more easily, weakening democratic debate.

So, how do we move forward?

●  First, remember that AI should support, not replace, teachers. Human guidance is essential for teaching values like respect, empathy, and responsibility.

●  Second, prioritize digital literacy. Students need to learn not just how to use technology, but how to question it—how to spot bias, verify facts, and think independently.

●  Third, ensure equal access. Peace and democracy grow stronger when opportunities are fair and everyone has the tools to succeed. If some students have advanced AI tutors while others lack basic internet, inequality will grow—and peace and democracy suffer when society is divided.

To me, the goal is balance: combining the power of technology with the values of empathy, fairness, and critical thinking. If we get this balance right, AI and IT can help create not only smarter students, but also more peaceful communities and stronger democracies.

In the end, technology itself is neither good nor bad—it’s how we use it that matters. If we balance innovation with responsibility, AI and IT can help us build not only better schools, but also more peaceful societies and healthier democracies.

Thank you.