"Artificial intelligence and children: Preparing the Next Generation for a Technological Future"

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Young boys and girls in a brightly lit classroom are focused on laptops with visual programming interfaces. A teacher in the background instructs from a large monitor showing code. Small robots and electronic components are on the tables, indicating a hands-on STEM learning environment for children.
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Artificial intelligence or AI is transforming the world in unprecedented ways. From self-driving cars to smart assistants, AI is enhancing our lives and creating new possibilities every day. At the moment it is still in the early stage of development but it is going to touch every field in the coming decades. The deployment of Gemini AI ChatGPT, and other artificial intelligence tools has increased the value of studying AI and machine learning. These tools are valuable for future jobs and careers. Having said that, AI has now become not only the tools for adults but also has become the necessary subject for children to study. By giving our children a foundation in Ai, we can help them prepare for the future job markets and opportunities that are going to be created by AI.

Teaching AI to our children has many benefits. First, it can help them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. AI is not magic; it is based on logic, data, and algorithms. By learning how AI works, children can understand how to apply these principles to their own challenges and goals. It will also help them to understand how it works and affects their lives.

Second, teaching AI to our children can prepare them for the future. AI is already shaping many industries and professions, and it will continue to do so in the coming years. By exposing children to AI early on, we can equip them with the knowledge and skills they will need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Third, teaching AI to our children can inspire them to create positive change. AI is not only a technology; it is also a social and ethical issue. By learning about the potential and limitations of AI, children can develop a sense of responsibility and curiosity. They can use AI as a tool for good, not evil.

 

How can we teach our children about AI.


Teaching AI to our children is not difficult or expensive and there are many ways to teach our children about AI. The most important and common method to do this is to include it in the regular course syllabus in the school specially in the country like Nepal where usually less focus is given in the field of computer science in primary and secondary level of education. Apart from this, There are many resources and platforms available online that can help parents and educators introduce AI concepts and projects to children of all ages and backgrounds. Some examples are:


  1.  Scratch: A visual programming language that allows children to create interactive stories, games, and animations using blocks of code.

  2.   Code.org: A nonprofit organization that provides online courses and activities that teach computer science and coding basics to children.

  3. Machine Learning for Kids: A website that lets children train and test their own machine learning models using simple examples and games.

  4. Cozmo: A toy robot that uses facial recognition, emotion detection, and natural language processing to interact with children and teach them about AI.


Advantages of Teaching AI to Children


Teaching Ai has a lot of advantages and the fact is that, the earlier it gets started, our children can be


better at it ; as AI can teach some important skills needed for life  like critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration and communication. Apart from this some other advantages of Teaching AI to our children are:

  • A friendly, humanoid robot with a screen on its chest stands in a modern classroom, pointing to a large interactive whiteboard displaying colorful math problems. Several diverse elementary-aged children sit on beanbags on the floor, some with their hands raised, looking at the robot and the screen.
    AI can help children learn at their own pace. AI-powered learning tools can adapt to each child's individual learning style and pace, which can help them to learn more effectively.

  • AI can provide personalized feedback. AI can provide children with personalized feedback on their work, which can help them to identify and correct mistakes quickly.

  • AI can make learning more engaging and fun. AI can be used to create interactive and engaging learning experiences that can help children to stay motivated and interested in learning.

  • AI can help children develop problem-solving skills. AI can be used to present children with challenging problems that they can solve using their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

  • AI can help children prepare for the future. AI is a rapidly growing field, and children who are exposed to AI at a young age will be well-positioned to succeed in the future.

Disadvantages of not teaching AI or Digital literacy to our children.

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, neglecting to educate children about AI and digital literacy can have significant drawbacks for their future development and opportunities. Here are some of the key disadvantages of not teaching AI or digital literacy to our children:

  1. Limited Employability and Career Prospects: AI is transforming industries and creating new job opportunities, while also automating many traditional roles. Without a foundation in AI and digital literacy, children will be at a disadvantage in competing for these emerging jobs. They may struggle to adapt to the changing workforce and may find themselves in low-paying, unskilled positions.

  2. Inability to Participate in the Digital Society: Digital literacy is essential for navigating the modern world, from conducting online research and communicating effectively to accessing essential services and engaging in civic participation. Children without these skills will be excluded from many aspects of modern society and will struggle to keep up with the pace of technological advancements.

  3. Vulnerability to Online Risks and Misinformation: The digital world is filled with risks, including cyberbullying, online scams, and the spread of misinformation. Without proper education, children may fall prey to these threats, putting their personal information, safety, and well-being at risk.

  4. Limited Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: AI and digital tools can be powerful aids for learning and problem-solving. However, relying solely on these tools can hinder the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Children need to understand the underlying principles of AI and digital technologies to make informed decisions and navigate complex issues.

  5. Lack of Innovation and Creativity: AI and digital technologies open up new possibilities for creativity and innovation. Children without an understanding of these tools may miss out on opportunities to create, explore, and contribute to the digital world.

At last, we can give knowledges about AI to our children with the help of books, games, taking our children to AI exhibits or utilizing available resources on internet for example taking a help of YouTube and other video sharing platforms or else we can take a help of professional websites which are built to teach coding skills for children like www.coursera.org which offers different coding class to children depending upon their interests(there are courses in coursera designed for a K-12 context that can be very appropriate for older children, middle schoolers, and high school students). As the emergence of Ai is happening faster than we think, we need to prepare our future generation accordingly so that they can contribute to making the world a better place.







let's enjoy the taste of innovations and creativity together.

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