Even if applications like ChatGPT are currently attracting much attention, our children have already dealt with artificial intelligence in everyday life for quite a long time. They are confronted with algorithms in search engines and social networks; they use navigation systems and voice assistants like Siri or Alexa, and they are used to process images and filters. 

At the same time, children are often unaware of all the artificial intelligence behind it. However, such technologies will play an increasingly important role in the future. That's why it's important that they know what AI is and how it works - and they learn that best by trying it out and experimenting. The more they grasp it, the more competently they can handle these applications. 

To get started: create AI images together 

What is so special about new systems like ChatGPT is that they offer us more and more application possibilities and, at the same time, are very easy to use. Instead of using complicated programming languages, we give the AI simple commands and can use them to solve very complex and creative tasks. Of course, you still have to learn how to formulate such commands ("prompts") well - because the more precise the instruction, the better the result. This is a good place for parents and caregivers to start with their children if they would like to try out AI applications.  

To get started, image creation tools such as Midjourney or Dall-E are well suited. These programmes can be given text instructions from which images are then generated. With Dall-E, which like ChatGPT was developed by the company OpenAI, you can set up an account and then create a few images for free. That should be enough for a start, and it is a playful approach that can be fun for children and adults alike. 

Parents for whom such AI tools are new territory can take inspiration from their children. Young people often have far fewer reservations about new technologies than adults and simply want to try things out. As a result, they sometimes manage to formulate good prompts for AI programmes surprisingly quickly. Parents can definitely learn something from this approach. 

Learning to use AI applications responsibly 

When parents enter the world of AI with their children, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, they should look at the costs because many of the offers can only be used free of charge for a short time or with restrictions, and then they rely on subscriptions or premium models. It is therefore advisable to always read the small print 

Apart from that, children must deal responsibly with the images they create. Even if tools like Dall-E provide us with great, hyper-realistic images, they do not depict reality but create fake images. Children and young people should be aware that they must not deceive others with such fake images. When distributing "their" works, they should always point out that they are generated by artificial intelligence tools. 

Parents and caregivers should also ensure their children do not denigrate anyone. Experimenting with AI-generated images should be fun - but not at the expense of others. If computer programmes are involved, the inhibition threshold for insults or negative comments is often lower. But even such images, once forwarded, can cause great harm to other people. If necessary, parents should help their children vent in other ways and talk about which pictures are okay and which are not. Usually, children have a good feeling about this at a very young age already. 

Artificial intelligence and authorship: who made it? 

Even if children can of course, be proud of the pictures and their concrete ideas about them, "I made that" is only partially true with AI applications. In order to implement ideas, the AI was trained in advance with millions of pictures taken by other people. So, behind every AI-generated image is the work of a great number of people, and we should also explain this to children and young people. More generally , the authorship of AI works is a complicated issue that will probably raise many questions in the future. 

Find out more about the work of the Austrian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.