Constructionism, Ethics, and Creativity: Developing Tools for the Future of Education with AI

Today’s artificially intelligent (AI) technologies are more pervasive, persuasive, and alluring than those of the past. They affect how many people, including the youngest members of society, socialize, learn, and play. According to a survey from Common Sense Media, the average teenager spends almost three hours on social media or video hosting websites every day [1] . Common Sense Media also reported that 72% of teens believed that the algorithms controlling newsfeeds and advertisements on these websites intentionally try to manipulate users’ attention and interests [2] . Moreover, a study done by Juniper Research [3] forecasted that 70 million U.S. households, or 55% of the total households in the U.S., will have installed a smart speaker by the end of 2022. Research on children and AI shows that children often form friendly, trusting relationships with their virtual assistants and smart toys which could make them vulnerable [4] . Despite the prevalence of AI in daily life, most people are unaware of AI’s role in society and lack a baseline knowledge of how AI works.