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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Artificial Intelligence
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Artificial Intelligence is one of the newest badges, and it has no pamphlet — Scouting America built it around a chatbot called Scoutly instead. Two requirements (2d and 4b) are games you play with your counselor, so they cannot be done alone at a desk. The ethics requirement asks you to write your own guidelines for using AI, which is the most useful thing on this sheet.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Machine Learning & Neural Networks
- AI Applications & Automation
- Deepfakes & Algorithmic Bias
- Ethics & Guidelines for AI
14Printable Pages
8Requirements
2025Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Artificial Intelligence Requirements
Every requirement for the Artificial Intelligence merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Key Concepts
Define the following terms and share the meaning of each with your counselor: artificial intelligence (AI), artificial intelligence agents, automation, basic programming, bots, data, databases, digital workers, general AI, machine learning (ML), narrow AI, superintelligent AI, tasks, triggers, workflows, and variables.
2Artificial Intelligence (AI) Basics
Do the following and share what you learned with your counselor:
- a Identify 10 examples of how AI is currently used in everyday life.
- b Identify five examples of how AI is currently used in the workplace.
- c Identify five examples of how AI can be used at school or in support of your education.
- d Meet with your counselor and play 10 rounds of the "AI or Not?" game to determine if the presented scenario utilizes AI. Discuss your answers.
- e Create a timeline with five key milestones in the development of artificial intelligence.
3Automation Basics
Do the following and share what you learned with your counselor:
- a Identify 10 examples of how automation is currently used in everyday life.
- b Identify five examples of how automation is currently used in the workplace.
- c Identify five examples of how automation can be used at school or in support of your education.
- d Explain how automation performs repetitive tasks without human intervention and how it reduces human error and optimizes resources.
- e Create a timeline with five significant milestones in automation development.
4Ethics in AI
Do the following and share what you learned with your counselor:
- a Research ethical concerns and responsible use in AI, including bias, privacy, and AI decision-making.
- b Meet with your counselor, play, and discuss five rounds of the "What Would You Do?" ethical decision-making scenarios.
- c Develop your own ethical guidelines for the use of AI.
- d What is the Turing test?
5Deepfakes
Do the following and share what you learned with your counselor:
- a Explain what a deepfake is and how it can affect an individual.
- b Describe what actions to take if you or someone you know is impacted by a deepfake.
6Developing AI Skills
Do the following and share what you learned with your counselor:
- a Discuss the learning process for AI and its limitations.
- b Identify five methods of how to effectively communicate with AI.
- c Explain the importance of prompt engineering when using AI to create better output.
- d Demonstrate three examples of writing clear instructions for a school-related task.
7Practical Application
Do ONE of the following:
- a With your counselor's approval, choose an artificial intelligence project based on your personal interest or a community need. Develop a plan outlining the project's objectives, data requirements, and potential ethical considerations. Implement the project utilizing appropriate artificial intelligence tools, languages, or platforms. Share your project with your counselor. Discuss the steps you followed to create the project and your experience during the process.
- b With your counselor's approval, design a short lesson plan on AI and teach it to your patrol or a group of Scouts. The lesson should include an AI-generated age-appropriate explanation of AI, examples of how AI is used in both everyday life as well as in the workplace, and an interactive demonstration of how Scouts could utilize AI to assist them with a school assignment, Scouting activity, or rank advancement. Share information on the development process and teaching experience with your counselor.
8Career Exploration
Do ONE of the following:
- a Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in artificial intelligence or automation. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities, and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.
- b Interview an artificial intelligence or automation professional. Learn about their day-to-day work, the challenges they face, and their vision for the future of artificial intelligence or automation. Inquire about training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Share what you learned with your counselor.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Artificial Intelligence requirements in 2025. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/artificial-intelligence/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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