What does AI mean for children’s futures? Let’s ask them

Young people are often left out of the conversation on developments in data and AI, even though they will live with the consequences of those decisions for the longest. But given a chance to engage in a meaningful way, young people have plenty to say.

In the latest episode of Connecting Society, host Shayda Kashef-Tomlins is joined by Dr Mhairi Aitken to explore what happens when children’s voices are properly valued.

Mhairi is the Co-founder and Director of Our AI Collective, a not-for-profit community interest company. Mhairi organised the world's first Children's AI Summit, bringing together 150 children from across the UK. The summit produced the Children's Manifesto for the Future of AI, which was presented at the Global AI Action Summit in Paris by a 12-year-old child.

"They absolutely get it"

There is a common assumption that children can't meaningfully engage with policy or technical topics like AI. Mhairi, who has spent the past five years running participatory projects with children, says this is simply not true.

In her experience, children tend to be more fearless than adults when talking about AI. If they don't understand something, they ask, and they expect a meaningful answer. She also challenges the idea that young people are passive adopters of technology. Many are critical of AI, with environmental impacts among their key concerns.

When children were asked what they wanted AI tools to do, their ideas focused on how AI could be used to make things more equitable. They suggested tools to help disabled children find accessible places to play, to check playground equipment for safety hazards, and to help children who speak different languages learn together.

How to involve children in conversation about data and AI

Mhairi explains that meaningful engagement with children means building opportunities that are designed for the age group involved - rather than just adapting activities designed for adults - and ideally child-led. At the Children's AI Summit, the agenda was developed by children, and all the speakers and chairs were children.

Just as important is a route to impact. Engagement with no link to real decision making feels tokenistic, and risks leaving children disillusioned the first time they try to have their voices heard.

For parents, carers and teachers, Mhairi's advice is to start by asking children about their own experiences and what they already know. Don't pretend the answers are straightforward, and be comfortable saying "I don't know". Exploring uncertainty and finding information together can make for a better conversation.

She also warns that "one rule for adults, another for children" can undermine trust in schools. If pupils are told not to use AI while teachers use it for lesson planning and to monitor pupils' work, children notice, and it creates a sense of unfairness.

Listen to the full episode now

Listen to the latest episode of Connecting Society to hear more about what children think of AI, and how to involve them in the decisions that affect their lives.

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Views expressed by the guest do not necessarily reflect the views of ADR UK.