Finding harmony in AI education for children

Speak Your Mind! 🎯 “AI Education for Children: From play to pixels” by Dejan Trpkovic

What makes us unique are our thoughts. Welcome to Speak Your Mind!

20–DEC–2023 | While browsing through the recently released OfCom’s Online Nation Report about online use in the UK, the data on the increasing use of GenAI tools among very young people was particularly intriguing. According to the data, approximately 40% of 7-12 year-olds and a staggering 79% of 13-17 year-olds have experimented with AI tools like ChatGPT, Snapchat My AI, Midjourney, or DALL-E.

As more kids engage with AI tools, one should ask: How early is too early to introduce AI education, and what’s the best approach? Personally, I believe early exposure can equip kids with a solid understanding of the tech shaping our world, fostering critical thinking, ethical considerations, and responsible use of AI tools. Starting young might also help prevent unintentional misuse or confusion as kids navigate the digital landscape.

However, there’s a catch. Kids thrive on unstructured play—imaginative games, free-form activities, drawing, storytelling, and exploration. Pushing too much on structured AI education could slow down or kill their natural curiosity.

Another challenge is seamlessly blending AI education into their world, complementing the essential aspects of growing up. This can be tricky, especially when many parents and teachers are still warming up to, or even strongly resisting, the adoption of artificial intelligence in education.

If AI education is not offered on time, children will engage with tech in a non-guided way. They will not wait. Their tech adoption happens at a much faster pace than with adults.

With the rise in AI tool use among an ever younger crowd, the question of when to start AI education becomes more pressing. I believe that we ought to play a proactive role and introduce basic AI education, perhaps as early as 7. However, leaving ample room for imaginative play, creative ventures, and exploration should still be the main priority, especially for the very young.

---

Dejan Trpkovic
Managing Director, PRODIREKT
Founder of Verbalists Education & Language Network

---

---

Verbalists, a world-leading language network, is about connecting people to the power of languages and joy of journeys that inspire, surprise and entertain. Verbalists is a brand of Prodirekt, a US based education group, which is a certified, and often exclusive representative of prestigious schools and colleges in world renowned university centers.