Scouts will now be able to earn badges in AI and cybersecurity

Scouting America, the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts, is opening doors for scouts to earn merit badges in two cutting-edge fields: artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. With a membership of around one million scouts, the organization already offers a diverse array of merit badges that range from traditional skills like fishing to more intricate ones like fingerprinting. These new badges mark a significant step in Scouting America's ongoing mission to remain relevant in an ever-evolving digital landscape. "Our goal with the merit badge program is to create badges that resonate with today's youth interests," stated Roger Krone, CEO of Scouting America, in an interview with CNN. This initiative isn't Scouting America's first venture into the realm of AI. Earlier this summer, the organization unveiled Scoutly, an AI-driven chatbot designed to assist scouts with inquiries about the program and its various merit badges. Krone emphasized that embracing AI is crucial for adapting to the technological advancements that shape our lives. "To stay relevant, like many organizations today, we are welcoming artificial intelligence and technology to enhance our capabilities," he explained. The AI merit badge will challenge scouts to explore the implications of AI in everyday life, investigate the phenomenon of deepfakes, and undertake projects that either apply AI or demystify the technology for their peers. Meanwhile, Michael Dunn, a commander in the Air Force who collaborated with Scouting America on the cybersecurity badge, shared that this badge equips young scouts with essential tools to protect themselves and their families from various online threats. Dunn also highlighted the pressing need for skilled talent in the cybersecurity sector, noting that numerous job openings remain unfilled due to a shortage of qualified candidates. Scouts have had the opportunity to work on these new badges for about a week, with some, like brothers Charles, 13, and Wydell Hendricks, 15, already achieving this milestone. Charles described earning the cybersecurity badge as "more fun than it is work," and it has sparked his interest in potential career paths within the field. Wydell, who aspires to pursue a cybersecurity career in the Air Force, added that the badge also imparts valuable lessons in ethics, an essential quality for scouts.