Safety

AI, youth and civic spirit: how the Benelux and Nordic countries are preparing for tomorrow’s crises

13 May. 2025

Artificial intelligence can be an asset in times of crisis, but it also carries risks. This was one of the topics discussed at the Benelux meeting on crisis communication, which was expanded this year for the first time to include partners from Finland, Sweden and the Nordic Council. At Senningen Castle in Luxembourg, participants addressed a key question: how can we make our societies more resilient to crisis scenarios?

Under the Luxembourg chairmanship of Mr Guy Bley, High Commissioner for National Protection, experts and policy makers gathered to discuss four main themes: the role of AI, clear risk communication, youth education and citizen mobilisation.

AI: a powerful tool, but not without danger

AI can greatly improve crisis management through faster alerts, better forecasts and multilingual communication. However, according to Professor Georg Mein (University of Luxembourg), caution is needed. Deepfakes, cyberattacks and the misuse of AI can cause confusion. He calls for ethical guidelines, greater transparency and the creation of specialised units for digital crisis management.

Providing clear information without causing panic

Speakers from Sweden and Finland emphasised the importance of open and understandable communication, particularly with young people, newcomers and vulnerable groups. The aim is to provide effective information without causing alarm, thereby strengthening trust and preparedness.

Involving young people is an investment in the future

In Luxembourg, the CLICK project was presented. It offers young people aged 11 to 18 the opportunity to learn how to deal with climate risks, first aid and emergency situations through fun and interactive modules. The official launch is planned for 2026.

Every citizen counts in times of crisis

Resilience does not start with the state, but with the population. In Finland, every citizen is encouraged to have a 72-hour emergency kit. The Benelux countries are also committed to this approach, emphasising preparedness at the local level.

The lessons learned from this meeting will feed into future policies of the Benelux and its Nordic partners. One thing is certain: crisis preparedness is a shared responsibility.