Generative AI: 89% of young Italians already use it. 'It's the new Google'

But use goes beyond study, with a growth in practical use, from suggestions on what to do or buy to recommendations on content to watch or listen to. This is where AI takes on the role of an evolved search engine, capable of immediate and personalised answers.

A transformation that raises profound questions among young people themselves. Almost all Italian respondents, irrespective of age and gender, indicate as their main risk the risk of becoming 'lazy' and losing basic skills. Writing an essay, reasoning about a text, tackling a problem without shortcuts are perceived as increasingly tiring.

"When AI does summaries or helps with homework, for me it is a disadvantage," says Elisa, 13, "because then a person uses his head less. Tommaso, 16, on the other hand, speaks of a loss of motivation: "AI does not only take away creativity, but also 'the will' to test oneself.

Limited trust and fear of 'made-up' answers

But behind the massive use are real concerns. Only 15% of respondents explicitly state that they do not use AI for fear of false or misleading information. But in qualitative interviews, distrust emerges more strongly.

Several teenagers show a surprising awareness of the persuasive mechanisms of chatbots, which are able to provide convincing answers even when they are inaccurate. "It says them in a very convincing way," observes Francis, 17, "and if it was wrong, it would be difficult to understand it. This is a crucial point, which refers to the theme of 'sycophancy', the typical pandering of AI systems to the user without contradicting him. A characteristic that, according to the guys, requires even stronger critical skills in order not to turn AI into an unquestioned authority.

Higher than the European average is also the share of Italian youngsters who used AI to ask for advice on physical health, fitness or personal matters. The percentages remain small: 20% for health, 24% for personal issues. However, a widespread caution emerges from the interviews: the AI is consulted, but the doctor or the adult of reference remains the fixed point.

Alongside functional use, there is also a more playful dimension. Thirty per cent of young people say they use AI to 'test their skills', while one in five does so because it is a fun way to pass the time. An artificial sociality that oscillates between entertainment, experimentation and the search for emotional support.

One of the most relevant aspects of the report concerns gender differences. In Italia they are more marked than in other European countries. Only 23% of girls and adolescents say they use AI to test its limits, compared with 36% of their male peers. In contrast, use as a source of creative inspiration is more widespread among girls, but tends to decline with age.

Trust in the reliability of AI remains low overall and shows a clear gap: 17% of males trust it versus 10% of females. According to the researchers, this 'gender usage gap' risks translating into future inequalities in the acquisition of AI-related skills, replicating dynamics already known in the STEM and video game fields.

Faced with risks, young Italians demand shared responsibility. From companies, they want 'safety by design': content moderation, limits on risky functions, clear labelling of AI-generated content. From governments, clear regulations that protect privacy and rights. From schools, education for responsible use.

"We are not against AI," they explain. "But we would like to be guided on how to use it well, not just ban it." The paradox is obvious: generative AI is simultaneously seen as an opportunity and a threat. It helps in study but risks compromising learning. It simplifies life but can make one dependent.

"AI is accessible and easy to use, yet gaps emerge that reproduce differences already observed in Internet use," observes Giovanna Mascheroni, deputy coordinator of EU Kids Online and head of the Italia team. For Mascheroni, the message coming from children and adolescents is clear: 'we need to take collective responsibility'. With Italia having already adopted some of the most stringent rules at European level on the protection of minors online, the EU Kids Online report offers a fundamental empirical basis involving institutions, the European Union, companies, schools and families. Because if ChatGPT is already the 'new Google' for millions of young Italians, it remains to be understood how to accompany them in this unprecedented transition.