AI: Friend or Foe?

Artificial intelligence is the innovation generating the greatest hopes and concerns at the beginning of the 21st century. It is becoming increasingly present in our homes, schools, and businesses, promising productivity gains and easier access to knowledge: 78% of young people use it for research, and 64% use it to become more efficient. Yet behind these advances, a paradox emerges: more than one young person out of two would prefer to do without it. Far from being an irrational rejection, this hesitation reflects a clear awareness of the issues at stake: jobs put at risk, data exploitation, growing cognitive dependence, and increasing environmental costs.

AI is neither a miracle cure nor an absolute threat; rather, it acts as a mirror of our collective choices. It is reshaping our economic models, our relationship to work, information, and even democracy itself. At a time of ecological and energy transitions, its development raises the question of sustainable use, as its infrastructures carry a heavy environmental footprint in terms of emissions.

The challenge, therefore, is not to decide whether AI is a friend or an enemy, but to build a balanced approach. What kind of regulation should be adopted to preserve innovation without sacrificing ethics? How can we educate citizens capable of using AI critically and responsibly? Finding this balance will determine our ability to make AI a driver of progress rather than a source of disruption.