Trending Articles
Trending Topics
Trending
A quarter of children are using AI for learning and play – and the industry needs to think about what that means for their products and include youngsters in decision making.
That’s all according to new research from the Alan Turing Institute, which found 22% of children aged 8-12 are already using generative AI, with three-quarters using it once a month or more. More female children reported using it than male, at 24% to 19%. The preferred platform is ChatGPT, followed by Google Gemini and Snapchat’s My AI.
They’re mostly using it for creative play – such as making pictures or digital games – or for learning, the research found. Children who have additional learning needs are twice more likely to use it for playing with friends, getting advice and keeping themselves company.
The research was conducted in collaboration with the Children’s Parliament, and involved talking to children of all ages about their opinions – something that the government and industry needs to do.
Indeed, the report specifically noted that AI developers need to consider children and how they’ll use these technologies. Not as a tickbox exercise but to understand what guidelines are necessary, to develop learning tools that are appropriate for children, and even to reduce environmental impact.
The researchers called for policy makers to actively seek out children’s perspectives to ensure their rights and needs are considered when making decisions about governance and investment. Meanwhile, the industry should think about how their creations can impact child development and safety, and even make “safe, age-appropriate” generative AI tools specifically for children.
The issues go beyond safety and suitability, however. “Environmental impacts of generative AI are a major area of concern for children,” the researchers noted. “During our engagements, some children chose not to use generative AI after learning about its associated energy and water costs.”
“This research shows that children have important and nuanced opinions when it comes to the benefits and risks of generative AI,” said Dr Mhairi Aitken, Senior Ethics Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, in a statement.
“Children’s experiences with this technology are significantly different from those of adults, so it is crucial that we listen to their perspectives to understand their particular needs and interests. In doing so, we can mitigate the risks and enable age-appropriate generative AI tools to be developed safely to provide benefits to the young people who use it.”
While most parents are positive about how their children use AI, the research found that more than eight in ten parents were concerned that their children would see inappropriate responses from generative AI. About the same number were concerned children would trust the information too much. Nearly as many (76%) parents said they worried AI usage would affect their children’s critical thinking skills.
Teachers also have concerns. Half said they worry about the increase in AI-generated work being submitted as though it’s the child’s own. But they aren’t necessarily leading by example: indeed, three in five are using the tech for lesson planning and research, though two-thirds of all teachers added it’s particularly useful for creating specialised materials for those with additional needs.
That follows a story from the US, where a university student demanded a refund on her tuition after spotting that her professor used AI to develop course materials. This after telling students they couldn’t use such tools with their own homework.
Intriguingly, 52% of students at private schools were using generative AI, versus 18% in state schools, a pattern reflected by teachers too.
Beyond calling for age-appropriate AI for use in the classroom, the researchers also noted the need to introduce guidance or certification systems so teachers know which AI tools can be safely used in classrooms, in particular for children with additional learning needs.
“It is critical to note that one of the key takeaways from the research was that there can be benefits to generative AI technologies when developed safely and responsibly and with the meaningful involvement of children and young people,” the research added.
“However, at present, there are various concerns surrounding the lack of involvement of children, low AI literacy, the presence of inappropriate and harmful content, and the negative environmental impacts of the technology.”
