Prince Harry Funds Youth Groups for Social Media & AI Safety

Prince Harry Engages with Tech Safety Advocates

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, appeared at a hotel conference room in Brooklyn on Thursday. He convened with a group of twelve young leaders dedicated to advancements in tech safety, policy development, and innovation.

The young leaders were engaged in conversation around circular tables when the Duke joined them. Many were initially unaware of his arrival until he began participating in their discussions.

Addressing the Challenges of Technological Advancement

Following interactions at several tables, Prince Harry addressed the assembled group from the stage. He spoke candidly about both the potential benefits and inherent risks associated with the current era of rapid technological progress.

“Thank God you guys exist, thank God you guys are here,” he expressed. He highlighted the increasing influence of tech platforms, asserting they now wield more power than governmental bodies.

He noted that while these social media platforms originated with a focus on community building, there has been a demonstrable “lack of responsibility to ensure the safety of those online communities.”

Concerns Regarding Profit Motives

The Duke voiced concerns about individuals in positions of authority who are primarily driven by financial gain. He stated that safety and overall well-being are often secondary considerations.

He encouraged the young leaders, stating, “You have the knowledge and the skillset and the confidence and the bravery and the courage to be able to stand up to these things.”

The Responsible Tech Youth Power Fund

The event was organized by the Responsible Tech Youth Power Fund (RTYPF). This fund provides grants to support youth-led organizations working to shape the future of technology.

Archewell, the foundation co-founded by Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, contributed funding to the second cohort of RTYPF grantees. Other supporters include Pinterest and Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures.

Insights from Young Tech Leaders

TechCrunch was granted exclusive access to the event. They spoke with attendees, whose average age was approximately 22, about their work in the evolving technological landscape.

The young people present expressed cautious optimism regarding the future of artificial intelligence. However, they also voiced significant concerns about the negative impact social media is having on their lives.

They emphasized the accelerating pace of change, noting that legal frameworks are struggling to keep up with these rapid developments.

The Need for Youth Involvement

“It’s not that the youth are anti-technology,” explained Lydia Burns, 27, who leads youth and community partnerships at Seek Common Ground. “It’s just that we feel we should have more input and seats at the table to talk about how these things impact our lives.”

Growing Concerns Surrounding Social Media Among Young Adults

Discussions at a recent event consistently returned to the topic of social media's impact.

Young individuals expressed that these platforms are permeating all aspects of their lives, with a potential for increasingly negative consequences.

Advocacy for Responsible AI and Digital Safety

Adam Billen, 23, is involved with Encode, an organization dedicated to promoting safe and ethical AI practices. He has contributed to the Take It Down Act, aiming to combat AI-generated pornography, and supports legislation like California’s SB 53, which seeks to protect employees who report AI-related concerns.

Billen, alongside other young attendees, is actively working to educate those in positions of power about the rapid advancements in new technologies.

He explained to TechCrunch that creating realistic AI-generated nude images was previously beyond the capabilities of those without specialized technical skills. However, recent progress in generative AI has led to the emergence of freely available apps and websites, often marketed to young users, that facilitate this process.

Instances have been reported where individuals photograph classmates and upload these images to AI platforms to generate fabricated nude depictions. Currently, this practice isn't universally illegal, and oversight from major technology companies remains insufficient.

He further noted the ease with which advertisements for deepfake pornography tools are encountered on these platforms, making them readily accessible to children.

Pharmaceutical Advertising and Chronic Condition Support

Sneha Dave, 26, founder of Generation Patient, an organization supporting young people with chronic illnesses, voiced concerns about the evolving landscape of social media.

She highlighted the practice of influencers promoting prescription medications through paid advertisements, and the exposure of teenagers to pharmaceutical advertising on social media platforms.

Dave questioned the collaboration between the FDA and these companies to identify and address misinformation disseminated by influencers advertising prescription drugs, speaking to TechCrunch about the role of Big Tech platforms.

Mental Health and the Need for Support

The young people at the event collectively described social media as contributing to a growing mental health crisis.

Yoelle Gulko, 22, is creating a film to raise awareness about the potential dangers of social media. She observed a growing trend of students deleting their social media accounts due to feelings of helplessness in navigating the online world.

“Young people require support, not simply being left to cope on their own,” Gulko stated. “Providing them with the necessary tools to thrive online is a crucial step, and many of us are dedicated to achieving this.”

A Desire for Influence in Shaping AI's Future

Leo Wu, aged 21, distinctly recalls the impetus behind establishing his nonprofit organization, AI Consensus.

The catalyst occurred in 2023, coinciding with the burgeoning popularity of ChatGPT. Wu explained to TechCrunch that the prevalent narrative in universities and media portrayed the technology as detrimental to education. He and others, however, believed this represented an inappropriate approach.

This led to the launch of AI Consensus, an initiative dedicated to fostering dialogue between students, technology companies, and educational institutions regarding optimal AI integration within academic settings.

Wu posed a compelling question: “Is it fair to blame a teenager for excessive Instagram use?” This sentiment resonated with many young individuals, mirroring their perception that responsibility lies with companies designing intentionally addictive technologies.

Wu’s primary goal is to empower students to leverage AI effectively while simultaneously cultivating independent critical thinking skills.

Advocating for regulatory measures emerged as a central theme among the event attendees we interviewed. However, several participants were actively establishing their own organizations, prioritizing the inclusion of youth perspectives.

Jennifer Wang, founder of Paragon, articulated her vision: “Young people serve as a crucial link between the existing governmental structures and a future characterized by responsible technological development.” Paragon facilitates connections between students and governmental bodies seeking input on technology policy.

Simultaneously, Dave from Generation Patient is advocating for increased cooperation between the FDA and FTC. She is also dedicated to supporting the passage of legislation in Congress aimed at safeguarding patients from misleading pharmaceutical advertising online.

Billen of Encode indicated his consideration of supporting state-level bills mandating disclosure notifications, informing individuals when they are interacting with AI rather than a human. He is also closely monitoring the California bill seeking to prohibit minors from utilizing chatbots. He views the ongoing lawsuit against Character.AI as potentially pivotal in establishing precedents for future AI regulation.

Encode, alongside other organizations in the tech policy arena, submitted an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit filed by a mother against Character.AI, alleging the platform’s role in her son’s death.

During the event, Prince Harry engaged in conversation with Wu, discussing both the potential benefits and inherent risks of AI. Their discussion centered on the necessity for greater accountability and identifying those with the capacity to drive change. The answer, according to Wu, was readily apparent.

“The individuals present in this room,” Wu stated, “hold the key to shaping the future.”