AI Conversation Starters With Kids That Aren't Too *Cringe*
It's hard to talk to kids about anything serious, but a chat about AI doesn't have to be tough. In fact, it's often best done in the context of current events or recent happenings in a child's life...
Talking to your five-year-old about AI looks very different from discussing it with a teenager, of course. What fascinates a middle schooler might bore an elementary school student, and what feels age-appropriate for a high schooler could overwhelm a younger child.
On top of that, these discussions are highly dependent on individual personalities too. So keep trying—there is no wrong approach. A great opportunity is usually when the topic comes up at school or when you are listening to news together.
These are also “conversation starters”—adults aren’t required to have all the answers! The key is to ask questions and just…listen.
Elementary Age
First AI Conversations
“Have you ever talked to a computer or robot that talked back to you?”
“What’s the difference between asking Alexa a question and asking an adult or a friend?”
“If you could build a robot friend, what would you want it to be able to do?”
“How do you think computers learn new things?”
“What questions do you think are better to ask a person instead of a computer?”
“What would happen if a computer made a mistake?”
“Do you think AI can have feelings like happiness or sadness? Why or why not?”
“What would you want to teach an AI about being a kid?”
“How can you tell if something was made by a computer or made by a person?”
“What jobs do you think AI is really good at?”
“How do you think we should treat AI, like a tool, pet, or friend?”
“What rules do you think families should have about using AI?”
Middle School
Understanding AI Capabilities and Limits
“What surprised you most when you first used ChatGPT or another AI tool?”
“How can you tell when AI provides you information that might be wrong?”
“When you use AI for school projects, how do you make sure you’re not taking a shortcut?”
“What would happen if everyone in your class used AI to write the same essay assignment?”
“How has AI changed the way you look for information compared to how your parents did when they were your age?”
“What questions would you never want to ask AI instead of asking a trusted adult?”
“What biases or unfair ideas do you think AI might have, and where do those come from?”
“If AI can create art, music, or stories, does that make human creativity less special?”
“What’s the difference between using AI as a tutor versus using it to get quick answers?”
“What do you think happens to the questions you ask AI—who else might see them?”
“What would you want grown-ups to understand about how kids your age use AI?”
“What excites you most and worries you most about AI becoming more commonly used in school?”
High School
Ethics, Future Planning, and Independence
“How should AI influence major life decisions like college choices or career paths?”
“What ethical responsibilities do you think come with using powerful AI tools?”
“If AI can do many jobs humans currently do, how should society handle potential job losses?”
“What role should AI play in creative fields like art, music, writing, or design?”
“How might AI change what skills are most valuable in your chosen career field?”
“What are the dangers of becoming too dependent on AI for thinking and problem-solving?”
“How should AI be regulated, and who should make those decisions?”
“What privacy concerns do you have about AI systems knowing so much about you?”
“How might AI affect democracy, elections, and the way people form political opinions?”
“Should you always disclose that something was made by AI?”
“How could AI make inequality worse, and how could it make society more fair?”
“What human experiences do you think should never be replaced or enhanced by AI?”
“How might AI change dating, relationships, and social connections for you and your peers?”
“What role should AI play in addressing global challenges like climate change or poverty?”
“If you could design AI policies for your generation, what would be your top three priorities?”
“What questions about AI do you wish your families and teachers understood better?”
“What safeguards do you think should exist to prevent AI from manipulating people’s emotions or decisions?”