17% of young people in Luxembourg consider AI to be their friend

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Luxembourg’s Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth has launched a major campaign entitled ‘AI ≠ Human’. The project, presented by Minister Claude Meisch, aims to foster a critical approach to chatbots and emphasises that artificial intelligence is merely a tool, not a fully-fledged conversation partner. According to the minister, the active use of AI often masks a deep sense of loneliness, which technology can only conceal, creating a dangerous illusion of presence.

The campaign was launched on the basis of data from the BEE SECURE Radar 2026 study. According to the report, 96% of teenagers aged between 12 and 16 already interact with neural networks, and a quarter of those surveyed do so on a daily basis. Experts are particularly concerned about the qualitative indicators: 20% of young people turn to chatbots to avoid feeling lonely, and 5% believe that AI could well replace face-to-face communication. Around half of respondents periodically ask algorithms for personal advice, sharing information they would not confide in those close to them.

The campaign organisers highlight the key risks associated with unregulated interaction with artificial intelligence:

Social isolation

Simulating attention from a bot may seem comforting, but it removes the incentive to seek out genuine connections.

Blurring of boundaries

Perceiving the programme as a friend leads to genuine human relationships being replaced by a technical simulation.

Collection of personal data

Information shared with chatbots during moments of candour is not protected and is stored in the systems’ memory.

Cognitive dependence

Delegating cognitive processes and decision-making to AI undermines the ability to think critically and independently.

An emotional barrier

Unlike humans, AI generates only statistically probable responses and lacks empathy, a sense of responsibility or an understanding of context.

The visual symbol of the initiative is a robot named René, who will be visiting secondary schools across the country. This character helps young people to clearly see the difference between computer code and a human being, and also refers those in need of support to professional psychologists at the Centre for Psychosocial and School Support (CePAS).

The ‘AI ≠ Human’ campaign will run until June 2026 and will be rolled out across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. The project is being implemented in close collaboration with the National Students’ Conference (CNEL), whose representatives had previously expressed concern that many of their peers are turning to AI due to difficulties in connecting with those around them. The government’s core message remains firm: AI can listen, but it cannot feel.

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