Are your kids ready for AI? A parent's guide to navigating AI usage

This article was kindly contributed by our CEO, Neo Zhizhong.

As we delve deeper into this wave of innovations, our children are increasingly interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) in their everyday lives, from social media platforms to applications like ChatGPT.

With their ever-growing encounters with AI, how can we best equip our young ones with the skills to use this disruptive technology responsibly? Part of the answer lies in understanding AI ethics.

Here are some tips on how you can guide your child to use AI safely and effectively:

Understand the prevalence of AI

Start by explaining to them what AI is and how it impacts their lives in many different ways.

For instance, digital assistants are a form of AI that can understand verbal questions and provide answers, enhancing user experience. But AI is often encountered in video games as well, which is used to create more engaging and adaptive gameplay. They may also be interested to know that AI is also employed whenever they browse their favourite social media app, serving up content by studying their interests.

Recognise bias

It's important to emphasise that while AI can be a powerful tool, it's ultimately created by real people and can reflect biases and flaws of their creators or data, within their design.

Because AI is responsible for selecting the content to be displayed, it can subtly shape your child’s online experiences, sometimes in ways that perpetuate stereotypes or biases established by its creators. Try explaining this concept with examples that your child can relate to, such as the recommendation system in their song streaming service that only suggests certain types of songs based on their previous listening habits, potentially limiting their exposure to a wider range of genres.

Teach AI privacy

In the online world, AI systems are constantly analysing your child’s actions to make predictions and decisions - not just for your child’s benefit but for the AI’s creators as well. It's therefore crucial to teach them the importance of privacy and caution when interacting with AI-powered applications on the internet.

Try explaining how their online behaviour can influence the AI's response and the information it presents to them, even down to the smallest details. For instance, some websites that sell goods or services may adjust their prices depending on how long a person stays on a page. A more nefarious example would be that oversharing personal details on social media could potentially enable AI algorithms to target them with inappropriate content or expose them to cyber threats.

Encourage AI literacy

One of the most important skills your child can learn is the ability to question and understand how the AI they interact with everyday works ‘behind the scenes’. Encourage them to think about why an AI might make certain suggestions or how an AI learns from their behaviour. This will promote a deeper understanding of AI and its implications.

Lead by example

There’s no better way to show your child what it means to use AI responsibly by following these best practices yourself. Whenever you’re downloading a new app that uses AI technology, talk your child through the permissions it requests and encourage them to question whether the app really needs access to certain information. And when they encounter news features about AI, such as the introduction of a new AI-driven technology or an AI-related controversy, seize the opportunity to discuss the ethical implications with them. Always remember you are their role model in this digital journey.

Conclusion

Preparing our children for an AI-infused future is all about fostering understanding, promoting responsible use and nurturing a critical mind. As parents, our role in shaping their digital literacy and ethical standards is paramount. By taking the time to explain and discuss the complexities of AI, we can empower them to be not just passive consumers, but informed and thoughtful users of this technology.

As we navigate this evolving digital landscape together, we're raising a generation that's ready to harness the benefits of AI, while being vigilant of its potential pitfalls. Our journey into the future of AI begins at home, with you.