AI systems are increasingly pervasive within the devices, apps and services that young children and their parents, caregivers, and teachers use. And while AI ethics has converged into a growing consensus on high-level ethical AI principles, there remains limited academic review and engagement with a lens on children’s issues and responsible AI, even more so in relation to the early childhood domain. This session will explore the current state of AI ethics research in relationship to early childhood development and how these principles are moving into policy and practice. As Co-Chair of Generation AI, Zelda Yanovich will share findings from the University of Oxford Generation AI symposium held in September 2024 and Jana Fleming will explore their relevance to early childhood education. This session aims to demystify AI while simultaneously examining the challenges it presents to educators and parents seeking to understand how AI can support early learning and development.
