Exploring the AI Jungle

This book explains some basic facts about how a type of AI called Generative AI (GenAI) could be used in schools. It uses the metaphor of a jungle to think about what AI can and can’t do and how it could be used in education. AI systems make up a new technological world to explore. We can learn a lot by exploring it, just as we have learned from exploring jungle habitats.

This book doesn’t explain how to use GenAI tools in the classroom. Instead, it’s intended to cover basic facts about GenAI, encourage children to think about how they would like to see it used in schools and spark interest in wider discussions about AI in society.

Each page has an activity suggestion for research or discussion tasks, which will prompt the children to consider some of the more philosophical aspects of AI. GenAI tools are cool gadgets, some of which are useful for learning. But AI in general has the potential to be a lot more than just another software tool. Children – and adults- need to be AI literate. In addition to knowing how to use AI tools, we need knowledge of how AI works, its strengths and limitations, and the capacity to think critically about how it may help or hinder society.