4-H Youth: Innovators and Leaders in the Age of AI

By Jill Bramble, President & CEO at National 4-H Council

Contributed Content from WIA Event Partner (October 7, 2025)

Artificial intelligence is no longer a far-off concept, it’s shaping our world right now, transforming how we learn, work, and connect with each other. At 4-H, we see firsthand how young people are adapting to these changes and leading the way.

Their ingenuity was on full display at the 2025 AI Challenge, hosted by 4-H in partnership with Google. The event brought together some of the brightest young minds in the country and challenged them to create solutions that would improve their community utilizing AI. They’re detecting plant diseases, designing a chatbot that advises on fish-friendly culverts, and helping improve mental health. These remarkable projects show what we have known at 4-H for generations: young people are ready to drive progress, and it’s our role to equip them with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in an AI-driven world.

Innovation is at the Heart of 4-H

Innovation has always been a part of our DNA. More than a century ago, Cooperative Extension educators discovered that young adults were often the most eager to embrace new science and technology to improve their farms and communities. This insight led to the creation of 4-H, where hands-on learning and curiosity could flourish.

A shining example of this legacy is Marius Malgren of Hickory, Virginia, who, as a 4-H corn club member in 1912, produced an astounding 209 bushels of corn on one acre when the national average was just 45 bushels. His secret? He embraced, before adult farmers would adopt it, the new technology of hybrid corn seed that land-grant universities developed. This legacy of youth-driven innovation and technology transfer continues today, as 4-H empowers young people to find their spark and build pathways to economic prosperity.

Today, 4-H is the largest youth development program in the nation, reaching 6 million youth nationwide, including 2 million in rural communities and nearly a million on farms. We have grown to serve suburban and urban areas as well, teaching young people where their food comes from, how to grow it in smaller spaces, and even how to shop on a budget. No matter where they live, 4-H helps young people discover their passions and develop skills for life and work.

Learning by Doing: Building Skills for the Future

AI is now at the forefront of agriculture and so many other fields. Through our deep ties to land-grant universities, 4-H has always championed innovation, and today we’re accelerating our efforts to ensure our youth are not just aware of AI, but use it responsibly, creatively, and effectively.

The need has never been greater. Gallup recently discovered while nearly all U.S. adults (98%) have heard of artificial intelligence in the past year, only 39% use AI in their daily lives. Just 8% feel very knowledgeable about it, and only 1 in 3 trust AI to make fair, unbiased decisions.

The challenge is even more urgent for the next generation. During our recent Board of Directors retreat at Microsoft, we learned 70% of the skills used in most jobs will change by 2030. According to the UNICEF Education Commission, 75% of youth don’t have the skills they need for the AI economy. That’s why 4-H is helping young people build the knowledge and confidence they need, starting now.

Our national AI survey shows:

·      64% of teens believe AI will be essential for their future careers.

·      72% say they need more adult guidance to use AI confidently and correctly.

These numbers reinforce what we hear from youth every day: they are motivated and optimistic but need our support – so we’re making AI education accessible, fun, and grounded in real-world learning.

Pioneering Partnerships for AI Education

Preparing youth for the future is a shared responsibility. Recent policy and research continue to guide our efforts, focusing on advancing AI research, expanding access, and empowering educators. At 4-H, we’re proud to partner with leading organizations to bring AI education to life for millions of young people.

In partnership with Microsoft, 4-H educators are teaching AI literacy through Minecraft Education, reaching 1.4 million students including those in small and rural communities who might otherwise be left behind.

Through a $25 million Google initiative, 10 land-grant universities are developing a comprehensive AI curriculum for educators nationwide emphasizing technical skills, ethical responsibility, and real-world applications.

The 4-H AI Community Challenge, also with Google, invites teens across the country to harness AI in tackling the issues that matter most in their local communities.

Across our land-grant university network, innovative programs are connecting AI to career pathways—from Ohio 4-H’s Farm Science Review, where youth learn about AI’s impact on agriculture, to the University of Tennessee’s “AI in AG” camp, and the 4-H Academy @ Purdue University hands-on AI workshops.

Beyond Ready: Preparing Youth for Careers That Don’t Even Exist Yet

It is estimated that 80% of the careers that will exist in the future haven’t even been created yet. Employers are telling us that 75% of what matters most is not just mastery of school subjects, but life skills like showing up on time, working well on a team, communicating, and adapting quickly to change.

That’s where Beyond Ready plays a big part. Through hands-on projects, immersive learning, and supportive mentors, 4-H is helping young people develop not only technical know-how, but the adaptability, confidence, and problem-solving skills they’ll need for whatever the future brings. Whether it’s building a robot, growing a garden in a city, or coding an AI solution for their community, 4-H’ers are learning by doing and becoming the innovators and leaders, our world needs.

Equipping a New Generation of Leaders

The next generation is growing up with technology at their fingertips, but they need our guidance to navigate its complexities, harness its potential, and use it responsibly. That’s why 4-H is bridging gaps and building confidence for every young person, no matter where they live, to have access to the tools, mentors, and experiences they need. By connecting curiosity with capability, we are building more than just skills, we are nurturing leaders who will shape the future of AI.