Are we ready and do kids need them?

As the world is progressing in AI and Robotics, a question comes that is “Are our kids ready for AI and Robotics?” This article talks about this issue.

Kids are using AI on their parent’s phones unconsciously. So many kids in metros know how to ask Alexa to play their favorite songs and poems. That means AI is already exposed to kids and but how much is safe AI for kids?

Many more questions arise in this context. Some questions are how much robotics is safe for kids in various age groups. Do kids increase cognitive behaviours with kids’ robots near them in the absence of working parents? How and when is the right time to introduce friendly robotics to kids? What all components of robotics should be on the list for Robotics for kids?

Well, the answer to support robotics is that children learn more while having fun and toys are the ultimate respite of kids when pressure from school starts growing.

Also, there are parents who don’t like to send children to school so early in their younger years. For such parents, Robotic Toys with AI can be a real help. This is because children would play with robotic toys and at the same time learn comprehension, astrology to even medics through the AI embedded in the Robots. However, the toy must be safe for children in a particular age group.

The Robotic toys with embedded AI needs to be safe and should not hurt, something like a talking soft toy or talking football to other exercise and play sports with robotics safe for kids. Again, all this is as per age group. These tools can tell how much a child is loving to play smart football which tells pressure and direction to mention a few examples.

However, all this need to be divided into age groups. Yes, the Robotic and AI-based toys need to be divided into age groups. One basic categorization is as follows:

1. 0–2 year. No robotic toys. Some smart musical assistants are kept far away from children.

2. 2–5 year. Mild soft robotic toys that can’t hurt and embedded batteries that can’t come in the hands of toddlers.

3. 5–10. Again, these should be non-hurting robotic toys but with advanced learning embedded software.

4. 10 and above. These children can handle walking robots and should be able to learn while using Robotic Toys. Still, caution may be taken.

These are not the ultimate and final division of the use of robotic toys in different age groups. These need to be studied and understood and then authorized for use. This may take time, as the children, the governing bodies, and the Robotics team, all need to understand the framework of Robotics and AI for the children and any harm that needs to be avoided by children. Child safety is the first point in this process.

This article gave a brief on how Robotics and AI can be useful for kids, but given there are downsides and pros and cons that need to be looked at and the parent needs to be vigilant about Robotics tools at all times. The solution to all questions is license of the Robotic toy to pass the Children’s AI and Robotics Ethics guidelines. This would set all the questions and their answers. There are no such guidelines yet, but in the future, more can be explained and such guidelines can be made.