Well-Being by Design: an Integrated Framework for Youth Flourishing in the AI-Enhanced Educational Landscape

Abstract

The rapid and profound integration of Artificial Intelligence into K-12 and higher educational systems
have created a deep paradox. Indeed, while AI can improve students’ well-being thanks to
personalization, accessibility, and so on, it is simultaneously causing a significant risk to youth due to
increased anxiety, isolation, and passivity. In this sense, the present paper identifies a significant gap
in research, which is a combinatorial nature of pedagogical tool development, mental health’s
interventions and ethical policy-making that are developed independently one of the other. This led to
the substantial death of implementation, thus, creating a so-called implementation chasm as students
and teachers are alone with the AI technologies without integrated psychological support. Addressing
the topic from this angle, the paper argues that it is necessary to shift the paradigm towards a
comprehensive framework called “Well-being by design” that makes psychological metrics and ethics
equally non-negotiable in design, procurement, and pedagogical implementation. Based on recent
literature, I will propose a four-pillar framework that informs stakeholders in building the pervasively
human-centric ecosystem of AI, which would nourish youth flourishing.