5. AI chatbots are also fun.
Jamie Davis-Smith, a mother of four in Washington, D.C., says her family used an AI chatbot to plan a summer road trip, and it was mostly accurate. As a journalist, she knows that accuracy and sourcing are important skills for children to learn. That’s why when she talks to kids about AI chatbots, she emphasizes not only the usefulness but also the limitations of AI. And she uses these fun activities to help teach AI what it can (and can’t) do.
Ask low-stakes questions.
Recently, Smith’s son asked her if barn owls actually live in barns. Unsure of the answer, they turned to an AI chatbot. (Spoiler alert: Barn owls actually prefer living in barns.) Low-stakes questions like this are a great way to help kids understand the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, Smith says. .
Play games using bots.
Most of the popular AI chatbot tools have built-in gaming functionality. Playing 20 Questions or trivia games can help kids understand how these tools respond, and is also a great way to highlight what they’re doing wrong. For example, when a chatbot gives an incorrect answer about their favorite sports team, children may notice the mistake. This can lead to a great conversation about the importance of accuracy.
Ask the bot to tell you a joke.
Artificial intelligence is not just for research purposes. These AI chatbots are also funny. Have your AI chatbot or smart speaker tell you a knock-knock joke. This is a great way for kids to laugh along with their parents while learning how artificial intelligence can communicate.
conclusion
Artificial intelligence tools require oversight and guidance. Smith is cautiously enjoying these new tools, even as she worries that her children will use them to cut corners or plagiarize her work.
“It’s important to start talking with your kids about how to use it responsibly and its limits,” says Smith. “If you haven’t started yet, start now.”
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