With the intent of spotlighting the critical conversations about the ethical development of AI, we explore Encode Canada’s 2025 initiatives. With the upcoming Canadian election, we emphasize the importance of youth engagement in shaping responsible AI policy. Spanning political advocacy, community organizing, educational programming, and content creation, we explore the unique stake today's youth face in the future of AI's immediate and long-term impacts, posing the question "Is the future of AI innovation or imitation?".