Scouting America, the organization formerly known in the U.S.A. as the Boy Scouts, has announced two new merit badges in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The badges are available through the Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts of America) program. 

Scouting America say the badges empower young people to master the skills of tomorrow alongside expert counselors, preparing them to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

"Scouting has always been about preparing young people for life,"

said Roger Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America.

"Today, that means more than mastering outdoor skills – it's about understanding the digital world and its impact on our lives. The new AI and cybersecurity merit badges give Scouts the tools and ethical foundations to navigate and lead in a rapidly changing world shaped by technology."

Scouting America says the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Merit Badge will give Scouts a hands-on introduction. Scouts will discover what AI is, how it is used in everyday life and learn the basics of algorithms and automation. The badge will also involve the scouts tackling real-world challenges such as spotting deepfakes, understanding algorithmic bias and exploring how AI is impacting jobs and society. They say that going beyond technical skills, the badge emphasizes critical thinking about the ethical questions surrounding AI, including data privacy and responsible innovation.

The Cybersecurity Merit Badge gives Scouts a comprehensive introduction to digital security. Scouts taking the course will learn to identify a range of cyber threats, from viruses to social engineering attacks, and to recognize common vulnerabilities in systems and applications. They will also develop practical skills such as creating strong passwords, using firewalls and antivirus software and understanding encryption. The badge also highlights responsible online behavior, teaching Scouts how to safeguard personal information and prevent cyberbullying.

The new badges continue Scouting America’s enthusiasm for modern technology. It has an AI chatbot called Scoutly that was launched this summer that can answer questions about Scouting America and its merit badges.

Scoutly was trained on an extensive, contained knowledge base of official Scouting America resources, which the organization says ensures a safe, child-friendly experience without relying on external internet searches.

Scoutly is available on Scouting.org and BeAScout.org. The organization says Scoutly's primary mission is to simplify the journey for new families. By providing a conversational and streamlined registration process, the assistant helps parents find a local Scout unit and complete the registration process.

Scoutly also has a comprehensive understanding of all Scouts BSA merit badges, with detailed information from the official merit badge pamphlets. It is also be the primary source for the new Artificial Intelligence Merit Badge. 

More Information

Be A Scout Website

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