This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Researchers in UC's College of Arts and Sciences spoke to 41 children ages 5 to 10 after inviting them to play three interactive games with Miko, a commercially available robot that uses generative AI. They found that children tended to believe what the AI robot told them was true and were eager to engage with it, even if they had never seen one before.
Their embrace of AI contrasts with concerns expressed by some of their parents, UC assistant professor Kelly Merrill Jr. said. "The biggest takeaway for me is these children are extremely excited about robots and AI," Merrill said. "AI can be a scary thing for parents." Merrill and his research partner, UC Niehoff Professor Nancy Jennings, presented their findings at the Comm Horizons conference at the University of California, Davis.
The two teach in UC's School of Communication, Film, and Media Studies in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jennings said UC's study demonstrates the need to build AI literacy at a young age so children are aware of both the abilities and limitations of this emerging technology. The new generation will never know a world without artificial intelligence, she said.
"AI is being integrated with every aspect of life. So we will have to educate children at a young age to use critical thinking about the tools and talk through some of their experiences with their parents," Jennings said. Families with young children typically are quicker to adopt new technology than other populations, she said.
"It's not surprising they would be the first adopters of social robots and AI agents," she said. "But there are a lot of unknowns about being the first and having those initial experiences." Jennings said interactive computer toys were especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing meant fewer group playdates for children. The interactive toys could have educational benefits, such as helping children practice conversation and improve vocabulary and listening skills.
Jennings also noted that the robots might appeal to some children who have limited social outlets outside of school. "We asked the children after they played with Miko if they considered it to be a toy, a friend or something else," Jennings said. "What was interesting is that some of the children, particularly if they said they had trouble making friends at school, said they really liked talking to Miko," she said.
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