Generative AI
Resources, guidance and information for education practitioners, learners, and families on generative AI.
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What you need to know
Generative AI (GenAI) is a type of artificial intelligence that generates content, including text, images, and audio. These models learn from existing data to create original content based on patterns. It can be a powerful tool and has many applications - it can personalise medical treatments, design ads, write software code, predict financial patterns, and is often behind the impressive visual effects in games and movies.
AI is not new and has been integrated into smart devices for some time, however it is increasingly being utilised in chatbot interactions. AI algorithms (lists of instructions) are also commonly used to tailor your social media feed, curating the type of information you see based on your previous online history.
Although GenAI systems can process and analyse vast amounts of data to identify patterns and make predictions, they lack the ability to think and understand context as humans do. Responses may be biased, inaccurate or harmful and there can also be data and privacy risks. As we embrace the exciting possibilities GenAI offers, it is important to recognise the potential risks and thinking critically about its limitations so we can become responsible and ethical users.
Learning and teaching resources
AI literacy lesson activities
As AI technologies are increasingly integrated into our daily lives, these activities that can support you to explore with learners the social and ethical impacts and understand the limitations and importance of using this technology safely and responsibly.
Information for families
Replika app guide
Key information for families about Replika, which functions as a virtual AI companion. See 'In the Know' for guides on a range of other social media and gaming apps popular with children and young people.
Views from the experts
Artificial Intelligence implications for children and young people
Jenna Khanna, Director of Education and Partnerships, Common Sense Media UK
Jenna reflects on some of the concerns around AI technologies and what be done to help children think critically about how we can all be responsible and ethical users of AI.
