Last week, Brightside welcomed partners, educators, employers, policymakers and supporters to the House of Commons to launch our latest research report, Bridging the Gap in the Age of AI: Why Mentoring Matters More Than Ever.
The event marked an important moment in the national conversation about artificial intelligence, education and social mobility.
AI is changing how young people research careers, compare university courses and explore their futures. However, our research shows that the biggest challenge isn’t access to AI itself.
AI is changing how young people make decisions
Artificial intelligence has quickly become part of everyday life for many young people.
Our research found that more than half of those surveyed already use AI to help make decisions about their future. They use it to research university courses, compare career pathways, prepare for interviews and explore different options.
Young people told us they value AI because it’s available whenever they need it. It answers questions instantly and offers a judgment-free space to explore ideas.
However, our findings also reveal something important.
Most young people do not fully trust AI.
Many are concerned about misinformation, bias, overreliance, and the accuracy of the information they receive. Instead of replacing human advice, they see AI as a useful starting point. They still want to sense-check important decisions with trusted adults.
The real social mobility challenge
Our research uncovered a clear difference between young people with strong support networks and those without them.
Young people from more advantaged backgrounds are much more likely to have parents, teachers or advisers helping them interpret information, challenge assumptions and make informed decisions.
For others, AI risks becoming a replacement for trusted human guidance instead of complementing it.
This creates an important challenge for social mobility.
AI can provide information.
However, it cannot provide a lived experience.
It cannot reassure someone who is doubting themselves.
It cannot explain what a career genuinely feels like.
Most importantly, it cannot replace the confidence that comes from speaking to someone who has already walked the path they are considering.
As our research highlights, information alone is not enough. Young people also need confidence, judgement and trusted relationships alongside technology.
Why mentoring matters more than ever
For more than 23 years, Brightside has connected young people facing barriers with trained volunteer mentors. Together, they explore opportunities, build confidence and make informed decisions about the future.
The impact speaks for itself.
Brightside has supported more than 178,000 young people and facilitated over 3.6 million mentoring messages. Today, 90% of mentees say mentoring helped them make important decisions about their next steps.
As AI continues to evolve, mentoring becomes even more valuable.
Mentors provide the context AI cannot.
They share personal experiences.
They challenge assumptions.
They encourage critical thinking.
Above all, they help young people interpret information and apply it to their own lives.
In an increasingly digital world, these human conversations matter more than ever.
Young people’s voices shaped the research
One of the most powerful parts of this project was ensuring young people helped shape both the research and the conversation.
Our Youth Board members, Luke Smedley, Cherish Salami and Farzana Chowdhury, spoke at the House of Commons about their experiences of AI, mentoring and making important life decisions.
Their insights reminded everyone that young people are not passive users of technology. They understand both its opportunities and its limitations. More importantly, they want the skills to use AI thoughtfully, critically and responsibly.
We are incredibly grateful to them for sharing their experiences so openly.
An evening of collaboration
The event also brought together supporters from education, industry, charities and government. Together, they explored how organisations can ensure AI strengthens opportunity rather than deepening existing inequalities.
We would like to thank everyone who attended, as well as our trustees, partners and colleagues, whose commitment made the evening possible.
Special thanks go to Milena Lasheras Maas, who led the research project and presented its findings. We also want to thank the Brightside team, whose work continues to keep young people at the centre of everything we do.
Looking ahead
This research is the first phase of Brightside’s wider work exploring the relationship between AI, mentoring and social mobility.
Next, we will expand the research through a larger nationally representative study. We will also explore the accuracy of AI guidance for young people and co-design future AI literacy and mentoring initiatives with them.
Because while AI will continue to reshape education and careers, one thing remains clear.
Technology can open doors.
People help young people walk through them.
Read the research
Our full report, Bridging the Gap in the Age of AI: Why Mentoring Matters More Than Ever, explores these findings in greater detail. It also outlines how mentoring can help ensure AI becomes a force for greater opportunity rather than greater inequality.
Download the report to discover why human connection remains one of the most powerful drivers of social mobility in the age of AI.
