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Inclusive Child-centered AI: Employing design futuring for Inclusive design of inclusive AI by and with children in Finland and India

Project Overview

The document explores the role of generative AI in education, emphasizing a child-centered approach to design that prioritizes ethical, inclusive, and equitable applications for young learners. It raises concerns about existing AI technologies that may reinforce biases, advocating for a proactive engagement where children contribute to the envisioning of future technologies and their ethical ramifications. Through three case studies conducted in schools in Finland and India, the document illustrates how involving children in the design process fosters a sense of agency and responsibility, allowing them to shape inclusive educational tools. These case studies demonstrate the potential of generative AI to enhance learning experiences, promote critical thinking, and empower students to navigate the complexities of technology in their lives. The findings underscore the importance of integrating children's perspectives in AI development to create tools that are not only innovative but also socially responsible, ultimately leading to more effective educational outcomes.

Key Applications

Design futuring workshops utilizing AI/ML applications like Dall-e2 and Teachable Machines

Context: Educational workshops with children aged 9-12 in Finland and India

Implementation: Hands-on workshops where children envision and design future technologies through arts and crafts, discussions, and critical reflections.

Outcomes: Children developed inclusive design outcomes such as financial independence solutions and ethical considerations for future robots.

Challenges: Children's strong anthropomorphizing of robots limited their critical thinking about future technologies.

Implementation Barriers

Ethical

AI applications can propagate existing social, gender, and racial biases.

Proposed Solutions: Designing child-centered AI applications that prioritize fairness, inclusion, and ethical standards.

Technical

Limited engagement of children in the design process of technologies.

Proposed Solutions: Utilizing design futuring approaches to encourage children's active participation in imagining and designing future technologies.

Project Team

Sumita Sharma

Researcher

Netta Iivari

Researcher

Leena Ventä-Olkkonen

Researcher

Heidi Hartikainen

Researcher

Marianne Kinnula

Researcher

Contact Information

For information about the paper, please contact the authors.

Authors: Sumita Sharma, Netta Iivari, Leena Ventä-Olkkonen, Heidi Hartikainen, Marianne Kinnula

Source Publication: View Original PaperLink opens in a new window

Project Contact: Dr. Jianhua Yang

LLM Model Version: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Analysis Provider: Openai

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