Naga City, Philippines – In celebration of Linggo ng Kabataan and International Youth Day, the "Youth Media, Information, and AI Literacy Forum" took place on August 22, 2024, at the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST). The forum was part of the KA-HUSAY-AN (Kabataang Husay sa Bayan) Digital Career Skills Development Program, organized by YSEALI Bicol Hub and iLab ARAL, with support from the US Embassy in the Philippines and YSEALI Philippines.

The event brought together more than 100 college students from various universities and colleges in Naga City, as well as young women from an urban poor community, to equip them with critical knowledge in media, information, and artificial intelligence literacy.

The first session, "Media and Information Literacy Essentials for the Youth," was delivered by Paolo Miguel Ordonio, Deputy Executive Director of Break The Fake Movement. He emphasized the importance of responsible media consumption and the role of youth in combating misinformation.

Shane Manlapaz, Project Development Officer II from DICT Region V - ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB), followed with a session titled "Youth in the Age of AI." Manlapaz discussed how artificial intelligence is transforming society and its implications for the younger generation.

The final session, "AI and Youth Career Paths," was led by Joenhel Arcilla, a professor and adviser of Multimedia Arts and Creative Enthusiast (MACE) at BISCAST. Arcilla explored how AI is reshaping career opportunities in various fields, offering valuable insights for young professionals preparing for a tech-driven future.

An open forum, moderated by James Earn Esperida and Pearly Esperida from YSEALI and iLab ARAL, gave participants the chance to ask questions and share their perspectives. The engaging dialogue helped the youth better understand how to navigate the digital landscape and harness AI for career development.

The KA-HUSAY-AN program is committed to empowering the Bicolano youth with the digital skills necessary to thrive in the modern world, with this forum marking another milestone in its efforts to bridge the knowledge gap in media, information, and AI literacy.