Exploring the AI Jungle: Teachers' Guide

This guide is an accompaniment to the children’s picture book “Exploring the AI Jungle”. The book is intended to teach children about Generative AI and its wider implications for society, particularly for schools. The children’s picture 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. Humans must seriously consider the possibility that we will create entities that are at least as intelligent as people– perhaps far more intelligent. Many respected scientists believe we will achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in the next thirty-five years, while some believe it will only take five years. This is exhilarating and possibly terrifying! As a society, we shouldn’t allow this to happen without thinking it through carefully. 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.