KIDS could become so attached to AI chatbots they start treating them like real-life friends, warn ministers.
They have told teachers to watch out for vulnerable pupils forming concerning attachments to the tech.
Kids could become so attached to AI chatbots they start treating them like real-life friends, say ministers Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Teachers have been told to watch out for vulnerable pupils forming concerning attachments to the tech Credit: Getty
training says youngsters who struggle with social relationships may begin sharing personal information with AI.
It says: “This is concerning because AI systems do not have genuine understanding or empathy.
“They cannot provide the safeguarding oversight that human relationships with vulnerable people should include.”
The warning is contained in an update to Government-backed AI guidance for and colleges.
Teachers are being encouraged to use more.
This includes to create lesson plans, adapt resources for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, generate learning materials and cut administrative workloads.
But the guidance stresses staff should be “extremely cautious” when using AI in sensitive areas and warns some decisions should never be outsourced to the tech.
While the training repeatedly stresses human judgment is essential, ministers are also pressing ahead with plans to roll out AI tutors to up to 450,000 disadvantaged children.
Tory Shadow Education Secretary said: “The most vulnerable children should not be used as guinea pigs in a Government experiment.
“They deserve proven support from teachers, not ministers on untested .”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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