A New Generation’s Perspective on AI
▼ Summary
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Ask adults about their thoughts on children and AI, and you’re likely to encounter a spectrum of strong opinions. Parents, teachers, and policymakers often express concerns regarding the role AI plays in education, pondering whether it fosters dependency on technology or stifles young minds. A 2024 Pew survey reveals that a significant portion of educators remain skeptical about AI’s role, with a quarter asserting it causes more harm than good. However, what do young people themselves think about this omnipresent technology? WIRED explored this question by speaking to six youths across the United States, providing insights into how AI is shaping their lives and education.
AI: A Study Aid or a Crutch?
Leo Schodorf, a 15-year-old from Los Angeles, offers a glimpse into how AI can be both a helpful study tool and a potential pitfall. While Leo appreciates AI’s ability to locate primary sources for history projects and generate study questions from class materials, he is cautious about leaning too heavily on it during exams, seeing that as crossing into cheating. Outside of academics, Leo uses AI for practical tasks like finding recipes but is wary of its potential to create convincing yet deceptive content. He even humorously considers the importance of politeness with AI, just in case it gains more power in the future.
Enhancing Learning Through AI
Siddhi Singh, a 17-year-old from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, underscores AI’s efficiency in daily student life. She praises its ability to simplify tasks like creating study guides or summarizing materials, though acknowledges its limitations in creative writing tasks. Siddhi also illustrates AI’s potential beyond academics, sharing her experience of developing an AI-driven device to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. Her project exemplifies how AI can solve real-world problems when used thoughtfully, emphasizing that humans are responsible for training AI with the right intentions.
AI and the Future of Human Interaction
Concerns about AI’s impact on personal communication resonate with Mahawa Kaba, a 15-year-old from the Bronx, New York. Mahawa worries that reliance on AI for simple interactions could alter social dynamics, transforming individuals into robotic communicators as they adopt AI-generated responses. She also voices environmental concerns about AI’s development, highlighting a growing awareness of its broader implications.
Integrating AI in Education
Gabrielle Watkins from Buford, Georgia, attends an AI-focused high school where students learn to harness AI’s capabilities as part of their curriculum. Gabrielle sees AI as a means to streamline mundane tasks, freeing students to engage in more creative and critical thinking. She argues for proactive education on AI, likening its use to learning to ride a bike or navigate the internet, skills best acquired through guided instruction.
The Artistic and Cultural Ramifications of AI
For 14-year-old Nora Pai from Manhattan, AI’s role in creative processes is unsettling. As a visual artist, she values the time and effort required to create art by hand. The idea of AI generating artwork with the push of a button undermines the personal satisfaction and learning that come from traditional artistic endeavors. Nora’s apprehension reflects a broader concern about AI’s impact on creative industries and personal expression.
Socioeconomic Influences on AI’s Potential
Finally, Finn King, a 12-year-old from Jacksonville, Alabama, shares a philosophical perspective on AI’s trajectory. Initially captivated by AI’s potential for positive change, Finn now perceives a shift towards its exploitation for profit, rather than societal benefit. He envisions an ideal world where AI supports human creativity and labor, contrasting it with the current reality where AI often perpetuates economic inequalities.
Through the voices of these young individuals, it’s clear that AI elicits a wide range of reactions. Whether seen as a tool for academic enhancement, a threat to human interaction, or a disruptor of artistic processes, AI’s presence in the lives of young people is undeniable. As they navigate this evolving landscape, their insights not only reflect personal experiences but also highlight broader societal trends and challenges.
(Source: Wired)
