The entry of humanity into the era of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), due to the pervasive presence of Artificial intelligence (AI), as a result of developing new technologies, raises a number of fundamental questions in the field of education. Does the use of AI bring unprecedented opportunities or challenges to education systems? To what extent can it be used to plan and create educational policies, optimize the provision and management of education, empower teachers, improve learning outcomes, expand access to educational institutions, improve efficiency and other opportunities? Questions that have sharpened the interest of scientists, pedagogical specialists and parents and increased concerns regarding its ethical and moral use. Today, although the entry of AI into the education sector is in its infancy, fears have even emerged, reflected in the hypothesis that it will replace teachers. The emergence of the first widely available tool for using generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) – Chat GPT in late 2022, further polarized opinions, covering the spectrum of emotions from concern that such a tool used by students during an exam will undermine the value of the assessment to its enthusiastic welcome. In fact, the truth is somewhere in the middle, because Gen AI has both specific negative sides and unique positive potential in the field of education, where it can have countless possible applications.

The purpose of this article is to present some of the possibilities for applying Gen AI in carrying out educational activities in out-of-school educational institutions. Out-of-school educational institutions play a crucial role in the overall development of students by encouraging creativity, teamwork, problem solving and personal growth. However, the organization and management of the activities carried out in them, given the diversity of students' interests and available resources, remains a challenge. The use of Gen AI can significantly improve these processes, offering innovative solutions to address existing problems. The methods used in the study are analytical-synthetic (analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction) and content analysis. The most current regulatory documents regulating the use of generative artificial intelligence in the field of education have been studied and analyzed, as well as modern publications that present its practical application in various educational activities. Based on the conducted study, a conclusion is drawn about the wide-ranging use of Gen AI in organizing and implementing educational activities in out-of-school educational institutions. In this context, the use of Gen AI is considered a serious promise for increasing the effectiveness of educational processes carried out in out-of-school educational institutions, which ultimately contributes to the overall holistic development of students.

Keywords: Generative AI, education, out-of-school educational institutions, application, educational activities.