How young people use AI

A recent report shows how artificial intelligence has become part of young people's everyday lives. Here's how you can support your child in the world of AI.

Text: Michael In Albon

Image: Getty Images

In collaboration with Swisscom

The new James Focus report, «Artificial Intelligence in Young People's Everyday Lives,» reveals how young people in Switzerland interact with AI, what they think of it, and where the tools are used. It is astonishing how pragmatically young people seem to deal with all the hype surrounding AI.

They are neither euphoric nor very negative, but rather critical yet open to the new technology. AI is used frequently: around 71% say they use AI tools, with younger teenagers tending to use them less and older teenagers more.

Young people primarily use artificial intelligence productively: research, summaries, translations, texts – things that mainly support them in school. AI is used very little for entertainment purposes. In rural areas, AI is viewed more critically, with girls having more reservations than boys, and those who produce visual content for social networks (images and videos) are also more critical of the spread of AI.

Young people have recognised the importance of AI for everyday work.

Parents can accompany their children in the AI world if they too approach the new possibilities with an open mind and a critical attitude:

Young people have recognised the importance of AI for their daily work. They use the tool where it makes sense to them and makes their lives easier. Parents should discuss with their children where AI offers added value and where it is more likely to hinder learning. Delegating homework to AI is not a good idea, but using it for research is.

Negotiating the use of AI

Young people are somewhat cautious but open towards AI technologies. They clearly identify both negative and positive aspects. This shows that young people are forming their own critical opinions.

Parents can learn a thing or two from this pragmatic approach. We should discuss these issues with our children on an equal footing. Young people's arguments are often well thought out and backed up by their own experiences.

Despite everything, parents should be informed and set boundaries based on reasoned arguments . Just because young people use a technology does not make them experts. Rules and boundaries – negotiated together – are urgently needed, especially when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence.

AI tools are giving rise to fears such as an increase in fake content or the loss of our self-esteem. Discuss your children's concerns with them and put AI into perspective: just because artificial intelligence can do something better than us humans, that doesn't make it human.