Is efficiency better than human connections?
Kim's narrative uniquely connects her experience with a childhood toy to the similar emotions she felt while seeking connection through AI.
SUMMER 2026 · NEW ORLEANSPresented by
Teens Talk AI
Three days at Be Loud Studios. 25 teens. Personal narratives, community interviews, and short reels about AI in their lives.
Recap
A closer look at AI, in their own words.
From school assignments to chatbots, AI is already part of young people's daily lives. Over three days at Be Loud Studios, they openly discussed how AI is becoming more and more a part of their education, relationships, and future. Where is it helpful? Stressful? What do we still not understand? What do they want?
They then pressed record and worked with producers in New Orleans to write, record, and edit their own pieces. Scroll down to listen to teen-produced personal narratives, community interviews, and short reels about AI and its impact on us.
Photo highlights
Three days in the studio.
In their words
What teens said.
“AI is not your friend, it doesn't have feelings, and it would be a terrible idea to trust it.”
“AI usage is often portrayed as something moving society forward, claiming that we will be left behind if we don't adapt, but I believe in the opposite.”
“Is efficiency better than the efforts we put into forming human connections?”
“The greatest and healthiest data center in my community is the public library.”
“When you get attached to a tool in the height of loneliness, you lose yourself.”
Personal narratives
In their own voice.
Short personal narratives all written, recorded, and edited by the teens at Be Loud.
My community is the public library.
In Lux's piece, they break down how a seemingly “easier” tool actually makes things more difficult and considers the environmental implications of pursuing efficiency.
You lose yourself.
Sariah's narrative examines AI's role in social connection through difficult times like the pandemic.
Community interviews
Questions the teens asked.
Scroll through interviews with leaders shaping AI's place in New Orleans and across the US.
Marisol Jimenez
Engineer, researcher, and project manager at the Rithm Project
A conversation with Marisol Jimenez about AI's place in creative work and community life.
Christian Pinedo
VP of External Affairs & Advocacy at aiEDU
Christian Pinedo shares his perspective on AI tools in the classroom and what schools need to prepare students for the future.
Drew Hawkins
Health Equity Reporter for the Gulf States Newsroom
Drew Hawkins talks about how AI impacts local journalism and the stories he has produced on AI's impact on the Gulf South.
Jenna deBoisblanc
Director of Data Access & Dashboards at NOLA Public Schools
Jenna deBoisblanc discusses data, technology, and how AI is showing up in New Orleans schools.
Alison Lee
Head of R&D at Rithm Project
Alison Lee explores how youth are using AI and what it means for brain development.
Eric Parrie
Co-founder of Growthology
Eric Parrie discusses how AI impacts the creation and spread of shareable content.
Amy Umezu
Storyboard Artist
Amy Umezu reflects on AI's role in creative spaces and the communities they build.
Video reels
Four short reels.
Swipe through the cohort's short-form videos.
AI Government Vs Human Government
AI and You
Mindfulness
Don't Fall in Love with AI
By the numbers
The impact on teens.
Final numbers from our post-program survey. Percentages reflect participants who answered 4 or 5 (agree or strongly agree) on a five-point scale.
25
Young creators
Participated across the three days
10th–College
Grade range
10th, 11th, 12th and college students
10
Different schools
Represented across the program
What teens told us.
100%
“I believe my voice matters.”
100%
“Be Loud is a safe space for me.”
96%
“I would recommend Be Loud to my friends.”
96%
“I want to learn more about how AI impacts my life.”
91%
“I would do another program with Be Loud.”
87%
“I have a better understanding of my relationship to AI.”