This research abstract presents an innovative AI education framework designed to introduce foundational AI concepts to young learners aged 4–5 years old.

The primary objective of our program is to engage children in an age-appropriate manner while fostering an early understanding of artificial intelligence. Our approach begins with an assessment of children's prior knowledge through questions, providing a baseline for personalized learning experiences. The first think that we introduce to the children is that machines, especially robots, do not operate autonomously but require prior programming. We employ basic coding concepts to convey this notion and demystify AI.

Then, we integrate hands-on activities such as self-developed applications for machine learning in image recognition, voice recognition, and generative AI for interactive conversations. These practical applications captivate young minds and instill a profound understanding of AI's real-world relevance. One of the highlights of our approach is the introduction of a decision-making game akin to Rock-Paper-Scissors.

This game serves as a powerful tool to teach children that robots can be instructed to make strategic decisions, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills at an early age. Our research efforts have culminated in a comprehensive AI education framework that is ready to be shared with educators worldwide. We have developed detailed lesson plans and instructional strategies that can be easily adapted to diverse classroom settings. By disseminating our work, we hope to facilitate the broader integration of AI education into early childhood learning, ensuring that young learners are well-prepared for the AI-driven world of the future.

Authors:
Konstantina Tastsi, Palladio School, Greece
Panagiotis Karamalis, Palladio School, Greece

About the Presenter(s)
Panagiotis Karamalis - Head of R&D in Education, STEM enthusiast, leading 21st-century skills program.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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