Youth in Macro
Press Release | Washington, DC — June 2026
Artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding across various sectors of healthcare. Notably, AI-augmented chatbots are increasingly being implemented as a primary mental health resource—particularly in under-resourced communities. At the same time, mental health professionals are actively navigating the complex ethical landscape surrounding the integration of AI into everyday practice.
In response to this, Youth in Macro has established a national stance calling for rigorous AI literacy and strict ethical guidelines. The organization is establishing its official stance on AI accountability alongside the launch of its 2026–2027 Mental Health & AI in the Digital Age Fellowship, deploying five student policy fellows to Washington, D.C. to present comprehensive data and inform public discourse on ethical technology integration. Additionally, Youth in Macro’s Policy Director, Maddie Harris, will spearhead the background research alongside the policy fellows. By elevating youth-led insights, Youth in Macro aims to redefine AI literacy and unite policy advocates, practitioners, and technology companies in safeguarding the future of mental health care.
The Demand for AI Literacy
With artificial intelligence cemented as a permanent reality, the focus must shift toward defining strict ethical guardrails and advancing AI literacy. Communities of color, low-income populations, and rural communities already face systemic barriers to mental health care. Youth in Macro is actively conducting background research to build an evidence-based, community-informed perspective on how artificial intelligence intersects with mental health access, clinical practice, and social policy. Youth in Macro is concerned that AI-driven solutions, if designed and deployed without intentional equity frameworks, will deepen those disparities rather than close them. Algorithmic bias in clinical tools, lack of culturally responsive training data, and the digital divide all pose real risks to the populations most in need of care.
“The conversation about AI in mental health cannot happen in a vacuum,” said Amou Mawien, Executive Director of Youth in Macro. “Due to systemic barriers in traditional healthcare, many young people are turning to AI tools out of sheer necessity, while tech companies profit off platforms designed without a true understanding of clinical mental health or its social implications. This has created a profound digital divide, where the rapid rollout of technology outpaces the insights of social scientists and healthcare professionals. Youth in Macro is stepping into this gap to drive the critical conversations that others overlook. Guided by a team of social workers and mental health practitioners who have firsthand experience navigating these AI spaces, we are dedicated to addressing this intersection with deep sensitivity and rigorous analysis. The overwhelming number of applications we received from young leaders proves that youth are eager to ask the hard questions, and we are committed to ensuring their lived experiences and voices directly shape the future of tech policy.”
Our Fellows Are Leading the Research
AI in the mental health space is the emerging focus of Youth in Macro’s current fellowship cohort. Their findings will be published in an ongoing blog series on the Youth in Macro website in the coming months.
This press release marks the first in a series of communications from Youth in Macro as the organization builds public momentum around this issue and others emerging from our fellowship programming.
A Growing Organization with a Clear Direction
Youth in Macro has grown to over 101 enrolled student members and continues to expand its reach. The organization recently completed a Carnegie Fellowship focused on food insecurity, with a full report forthcoming, and hosted a macro-level policy panel with cross-sector stakeholders.
The organization is currently accepting applications for a Program Manager, a Program Operations Intern, and a Research Assistant to support data analytics and organizational growth. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply here to learn more.
About Youth in Macro
Youth in Macro is a youth-serving national organization dedicated to developing the next generation of macro social scientist, policy advocates, and community leaders. Through fellowship programming, research, and civic engagement, Youth in Macro equips young people with the tools to drive systemic change.
Policy Contact:
Policy Director, Maddie Harris
Policy@Youthinmacro.org | Website