Scouting America Introduces AI and Cybersecurity Merit Badges

Scouting America Embraces Technology with New Merit Badges

Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America, has taken a significant step towards modernizing its program by introducing two new merit badges in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity 1

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. This move reflects the organization's commitment to equipping young scouts with relevant skills for the digital age, while maintaining its traditional focus on outdoor and life skills.

AI Merit Badge: Bridging Technology and Ethics

The AI merit badge aims to introduce scouts to the fundamentals of AI and automation through hands-on activities and real-world examples 2

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. To earn this badge, scouts must complete a series of tasks that include:

1. Defining key AI terms and concepts
2. Demonstrating examples of AI applications in daily life, school, and work
3. Researching ethical concerns surrounding AI technology
4. Completing an ethical decision-making scenario test
5. Exploring AI-related career opportunities
6. Engaging in hands-on AI projects or designing short lessons for their patrol 2

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The badge also encourages scouts to interact with Scoutly, an AI chatbot recently launched by the organization to answer questions about merit badges and scouting in general 3

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Cybersecurity Badge: Protecting the Digital World

The cybersecurity merit badge focuses on equipping scouts with essential knowledge and skills to navigate and protect the digital world 1

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. To earn this badge, scouts must:

1. Research cybersecurity concepts and ethical considerations
2. Perform security-related actions on a PC, suchs as running virus scans
3. Install and set up a password manager
4. Create their own encryption code, generate a checksum for a file, or create a PGP email key for encrypted messages 2

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Adapting to the Modern World

These new badges represent a significant shift in the scouting curriculum, which has traditionally focused on outdoor skills and character development. However, Scouting America emphasizes that the organization has a long history of technology-focused awards, including badges in programming, robotics, and nuclear science 2

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The introduction of these badges is part of Scouting America's 2025 requirements update, demonstrating the organization's commitment to staying relevant in a rapidly changing technological landscape 2

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. By incorporating AI and cybersecurity into their program, Scouting America aims to prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age while maintaining its core values and traditional skill set.