My (almost) 2-year-old daughter loves to listen to Elmo songs. Thanks to AI, she can say “Hey Google, play Elmo” in any room in the house and her favorite jams will fill the speakers, so long as Google can “speak toddler” that day.
While this is cute and convenient for her, it’s also created a bit of unrealistic expectations. Now she yells “Hey Google, play Elmo!” at the grocery store, friends’ houses, in the middle of church and even in outside spaces like the park. When Google doesn’t respond, she’s heartbroken.
My 6-year-old son loves to ask AI questions throughout the day: “What sound does a howler monkey make?” “Is it OK for dogs to eat strawberries?” “How long would it take to dig to the other side of the Earth?” He gets instant answers to feed his curiosity.
While I enjoy the convenience of AI, I can’t help but wonder how it’s shaping the realities of my family and families across the globe. How will my children’s lives continue to evolve with the growth of AI, and how are other families experiencing this phenomenon?
A recent Pew Research survey found that 19% of U.S. teenagers have used AI to assist with their homework, with 39% deeming it acceptable for solving math problems. While AI can be a valuable educational tool, it’s essential to ensure it complements learning rather than takes over critical thinking. Dr. Ying Xu, an assistant professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, emphasizes that AI designed with learning principles in mind can benefit children’s growth. However, she cautions that AI should be used to build children’s learning, not replace it.