In a sign of the times, Boy Scouts can now earn badges in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity as they learn tech survival skills.
The Boy Scouts of America, which rebranded as Scouting America after 115 years back in February, counts about 1 million scouts in its ranks, and has traditionally offered badges to encourage kids to learn outdoor survival skills like first aid, hiking, and cooking, or soft skills like public speaking, communication, and citizenship in the world. (Here’s a look at all the 141 badges.)
“The introduction of the artificial intelligence and cybersecurity merit badges marks another step forward as we continue our mission of preparing for life,” Roger Krone, president of Scouting America told Fast Company. “As technology continues to shape every aspect of our lives… these merit badges empower Scouts with foundational knowledge in two of the most critical and rapidly evolving fields.”
The merit badges introduce scouts to the fundamentals of AI and automation through hands-on activities and real-world examples in daily life and school, that examine ethical concerns like bias and privacy, according to the Scouting America website.
To earn the new badges, scouts learn key AI concepts (machine learning, narrow AI, superintelligent AI, tasks, triggers, workflows, and variables), investigate deepfakes, and practice how to communicate effectively with AI. The badges are designed to interact with the Scoutly chat bot.
Like many older organizations, Scouting America is hoping to stay relevant in a world where today’s younger generations are increasingly digitally savvy and dependent on technology—and the new badges are the organization’s way of doing so, CNN reported.
It’s also a way for Scouting America to retain younger members at a time when the organization is losing them. It now has about half of its 2018 membership of 2 million—down from 5 million in 1972, according to the Associated Press.
But what the group has lost in membership, it has gained in inclusivity and diversity. Today, the organization includes more than 176,000 girls and teens, after allowing girls to join in 2018, and gay members in 2013.