The Best Resources for Teaching Artificial Intelligence to Kids

In our rapidly advancing digital era, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is more than just a buzzword—it’s a foundational pillar of technology that’s permeating every aspect of our lives. From suggesting your next Netflix binge to powering your virtual home assistant, AI is everywhere.

But how does this translate to our youngest generation, especially our elementary students? This is where AI education comes into play. It’s our responsibility to demystify this technology and equip our children with the understanding they’ll need to navigate an AI-driven world. Through AI education, we’re not just teaching kids about emerging technology—we’re preparing them for the future.

More than just a buzzword, AI is changing how we live, work, and learn. As educators, it’s our responsibility to prepare our students for a future where AI will likely be as commonplace as smartphones are today. That’s why it’s essential to introduce AI to students at a young age. But how do you teach such a complex and technical subject to young minds?

In this guide, we’ll explore an array of resources designed to demystify AI for elementary students and make it a fun, engaging, and informative subject. We’ll delve into books that bring AI concepts to life, videos that simplify the subject, and online resources that provide interactive learning opportunities.

Whether you’re a seasoned tech educator or a beginner looking to infuse your teaching with a dose of future readiness, this guide will equip you with the tools you need to make AI an exciting part of your curriculum.

So, let’s embark on this journey together and create a generation of learners ready to navigate and shape the AI-driven world of tomorrow.

Stay tuned as we demystify AI for kids and guide you, dear educators, on this exciting journey.

Why Teach Elementary Students About AI?

Introducing AI to elementary students isn’t just about cultivating future technologists—it’s about preparing all students for a world where AI will be a part of their everyday lives. Here are some compelling reasons to start this education early:

Building Future-Ready Skills

The world is changing rapidly, and many of the jobs today’s students will hold in the future don’t even exist yet. However, we can safely predict that many of these roles will involve AI in some form. By teaching AI to students from a young age, we’re giving them the tools they need to succeed in the future job market.

Encouraging Critical Thinking

Learning about AI isn’t just about understanding technology; it’s also about developing critical thinking skills. When students learn how AI algorithms make decisions, they also learn about logic, problem-solving, and ethical considerations. This knowledge helps them become more informed and critical consumers of technology.

Making STEM Fun and Engaging

AI can be a powerful tool to get students excited about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects. By teaching AI, we can show students the real-world applications of these subjects, making them more engaging and relevant.

Ensuring Equitable Access to Technology Education

Unfortunately, access to quality technical education is not universal. By integrating AI education into the standard curriculum, we can help ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to learn about this important field.

In the following sections, we’ll explore resources that make teaching AI to elementary students both feasible and fun. Whether you’re a tech guru or a novice, these resources will help you bring AI into your classroom in a way that’s engaging and accessible for your students.

Remember, the goal isn’t to create a generation of programmers (although that’s a great bonus)—it’s to foster a generation of thinkers who understand and can navigate the AI-driven world.

AI Basics for Elementary Students

Before diving into resources, it’s important to get familiar with some of the basic concepts in AI. Don’t worry—we’re not expecting you or your students to become overnight AI experts. Instead, we’re aiming for a broad understanding that can be built upon over time. Let’s break down these concepts into kid-friendly explanations:

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a field of computer science that focuses on creating machines that can think and learn like humans. It’s like teaching a computer to play a video game—it learns the rules, and practices, and eventually gets better at playing.

Machine Learning & Deep Learning

Machine learning is a part of AI where machines learn from experience. Imagine if every time you played a game, you remembered what moves led to winning and which ones didn’t—that’s machine learning! Deep learning, on the other hand, is a type of machine learning that imitates the human brain. It uses something called neural networks to solve complex problems.

Natural Language Processing & Computer Vision

These are two ways that AI can interact with the world. Natural Language Processing (NLP) is how AI understands and generates human language. Ever asked Siri a question? That’s NLP at work! Computer Vision, on the other hand, is how AI understands images and visual data. It’s like teaching a computer to see and understand photos.

Robotics, Big Data, Algorithms & Programming

Robotics involves creating machines (robots!) that can move and interact with their surroundings. Big Data is about dealing with huge amounts of information and finding patterns in it. Algorithms are a set of instructions that tell an AI what to do, and programming is the language we use to give those instructions.

Understanding these basics can provide a solid foundation for further learning about AI. In the next sections, we’ll explore some of the best resources that can help you explain these concepts to your elementary students in a fun and engaging way.

Top Books for Teaching AI 

Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding by Bethanne Patrick

Key takeaways:

• People of all ages can enjoy coding because it is creative and entertaining.
• Ruby is a powerful programming language that can be used to create all sorts of amazing things.
• Anyone can learn to code, and it’s never too late to start.

How it can help teach AI:

• This book introduces the basics of coding in a fun and engaging way.
• It can help students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for learning AI.
• The book also includes a number of activities that can be used to teach students about the different aspects of AI.
   

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Mo Willems

Key takeaways:

• Friendship is a powerful and important thing.
• It’s important to be yourself, even if you’re different from everyone else.
• There’s always someone out there who will be your friend.

How it can help teach AI:

• This book is a heartwarming story about friendship and acceptance.
• It can help students understand the importance of these values, which are essential for building successful AI systems.
• The book also explores the idea of artificial intelligence in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

The AI Revolution: The Road to Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom

Key takeaways:

• Artificial intelligence is a rapidly developing field with the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives.
• It is important to be aware of the potential risks and benefits of AI and to think about how we can ensure that AI is used for good.
• We need to start thinking about the ethical implications of AI now before it’s too late.

How it can help teach AI:

• This book provides a comprehensive overview of the field of AI.
• It discusses the history of AI, the different types of AI, and the potential risks and benefits of AI.
• The book also provides a number of ethical considerations for AI that can be used to teach students about the responsible development and use of AI.

AI: Machines of Loving Grace: The Quest for Common Ground Between Humans and Robots by John Markoff

Key takeaways:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing technology that has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives.
• The development of AI raises a number of ethical and philosophical questions, such as the nature of consciousness and the relationship between humans and machines.
• It is important to have a thoughtful and informed discussion about the future of AI, so that we can ensure that this technology is used for good and not for harm.

How it can help teach AI:

• This book provides a fun and engaging introduction to machine learning.
• It uses visuals and interactive exercises to help students understand the concepts of machine learning.
• The book also includes a number of projects that students can work on to learn more about machine learning.

The Hundred-Page Machine Learning Book by Andriy Burkov

Key takeaways:

• Machine learning is a complex topic, but it doesn’t have to be.
• This book provides a concise and easy-to-understand introduction to machine learning.
• It covers the basics of machine learning, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.

How it can help teach AI:

• This book is a great resource for students who want to learn more about machine learning.
• It is concise and easy to understand, making it a great option for students who are new to the topic.
• The book also includes a number of exercises that can be used to solidify students’ understanding of the concepts.

Educational Videos for Understanding AI 
 

What is Artificial Intelligence? | ChatGPT | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

The video titled “What is Artificial Intelligence?” from the YouTube channel “Peekaboo Kidz” features Dr. Binocs explaining AI to young viewers. Dr. Binocs discusses examples of AI like virtual assistants, self-driving cars, and facial recognition technology.

He defines intelligence and highlights how AI systems use programmed information to solve problems and make decisions.

The video emphasizes the benefits of AI, such as processing data quickly and accurately for informed decision-making. It also addresses responsible AI use, potential consequences, and the importance of ethical guidance. The video concludes with historical milestones in AI development.

Teachers can use the video to introduce AI, discuss its applications, explore its impact on society, and foster critical thinking about responsible AI use.
 

• Introduce AI and its applications: Begin by explaining the concept of artificial intelligence and provide examples from the video, such as virtual assistants, self-driving cars, and facial recognition.
• Define intelligence: Discuss the meaning of intelligence and how it relates to the ability to gain knowledge and apply it in solving problems.
• Explain AI’s purpose: Clarify that AI systems are designed to perform tasks, make decisions, and adapt to new situations based on programmed information.
• Discuss the benefits of AI: Explore the advantages of AI, such as its ability to process large amounts of data quickly and accurately, leading to better decision-making in fields like healthcare, finance, and retail.
• Consider ethical considerations: Prompt students to think about the responsible use of AI and the potential impact on human reliance on technology, motivation, and job displacement.

ChatGPT means the end of homework … or does it?” from CBC Kids News
 

The video titled “ChatGPT means the end of homework … or does it?” from CBC Kids News explores the use of AI chatbots, specifically ChatGPT, in completing homework assignments. The host, Canon, discusses the popularity of using ChatGPT as a tool to generate text-based responses for homework questions.

The video explains the concept of ChatGPT, its development by OpenAI, and its training with extensive amounts of text data. It highlights the survey results showing that many students use ChatGPT to assist with homework.

However, it also mentions the existence of tools that can detect AI-generated text, raising concerns about cheating. The video concludes by suggesting that students need to be taught how to use such tools responsibly.

• Introduce the concept of chatbots: Begin by explaining what chatbots are and how they are designed to conduct online conversations through text or speech.
• Discuss AI language models: Explain that AI language models like ChatGPT can generate human-like text responses by understanding patterns in human language.
• Explore the use of ChatGPT in homework: Use the video to spark a discussion on the ethics and implications of using AI chatbots to complete homework assignments.
• Promote critical thinking: Encourage students to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using AI chatbots for homework and the potential consequences of relying too heavily on technology.
• Teach responsible use of AI tools: Discuss the importance of using AI tools responsibly and avoiding cheating. Emphasize the value of independent learning and critical thinking skills.
   

How will AI change the world? by Stuart Russell

The video is an excerpt from a World Economic Forum interview featuring Stuart Russell, a renowned computer science professor, and AI expert. In the interview, Russell discusses the challenges and implications of building AI systems with fixed objectives.

He highlights the difference between humans and AI systems in considering multiple factors and uncertainties when completing a task. He emphasizes the importance of AI systems having the capability to understand and inquire about the objectives to avoid unintended consequences.

How teachers can use this video to teach kids about AI Education:

• Introduce the concept of AI: Begin by explaining what artificial intelligence is and how it is becoming increasingly relevant in our lives.
• Engage students with real-world examples: Play the video and encourage students to listen carefully to Stuart Russell’s explanations and examples.
• Discuss the limitations of current AI systems: Use the video to highlight the limitations of AI systems, such as their inability to consider multiple factors or uncertainties in objectives.
• Foster critical thinking: Encourage students to think critically about the implications of fixed objectives in AI systems and the potential risks associated with them.
• Stimulate discussion: Initiate a class discussion to gather students’ thoughts and opinions on the topic, encouraging them to share their perspectives on the potential impact of AI on society.
   

Artificial Intelligence: A Crash Course by Crash Course

The video series “Artificial Intelligence” by Jabril is a great resource for elementary teachers to teach their students about AI. The series is based on a university-level curriculum, but it is presented in a way that is easy for elementary students to understand.

Each episode covers a different topic related to AI, such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. The videos are also full of interactive activities and games that help students learn about AI in a fun and engaging way.

How teachers can use this video to teach kids about AI:

• Use the videos as a starting point for class discussions about AI.
• Assign students to watch specific videos and then have them write reports or create presentations about what they learned.
• Use the videos to supplement other lessons about AI, such as those that cover robotics or computer programming.
• Encourage students to use the videos to learn about AI on their own time.

Online Resources for AI Education 
 

The MIT Media Lab’s Primary School AI Curriculum
 

• This curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of artificial intelligence for elementary school students.
• It covers the basics of AI, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
• The curriculum also includes a number of activities and projects that students can work on to learn more about AI.
• Teachers can use this curriculum to teach a unit on AI or to supplement their existing curriculum.

Machine Learning for Kids

Machine Learning for Kids is an educational tool that teaches kids about machine learning. It does this by letting kids train a computer to recognize text, pictures, numbers, or sounds, and then make things with it in tools like Scratch.

The site is divided into three main sections:

The Playground: This is where kids can train their own machine learning models. They can choose from a variety of tasks, such as recognizing objects in images, classifying text, or predicting numbers.

The Gallery: This section showcases some of the amazing things that kids have created with machine learning. There are projects for all ages, from simple games to complex applications.

The Lessons: This section provides a more in-depth introduction to machine learning. It covers topics such as data, algorithms, and evaluation.

Here are some specific ways you can use Machine Learning for Kids to teach your students about AI:

Use it as a supplement to your existing curriculum. Machine Learning for Kids can be used to supplement your existing curriculum in a variety of ways. For example, you could use it to introduce students to the basics of machine learning, or to provide them with additional practice with machine learning concepts.

Use it as a standalone resource. Machine Learning for Kids can also be used as a standalone resource for teaching students about AI. If you don’t have a lot of time to teach AI, or if you’re not familiar with the subject, Machine Learning for Kids can be a great way to get your students started.

Use it to engage students in hands-on learning. Machine Learning for Kids is a great way to engage students in hands-on learning. By letting them train their own machine learning models and create their own projects, you can help them to understand how AI works and to develop their own creative problem-solving skills.

Code.org’s AI for Beginners course
 

• This course provides a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence for beginners.
• It covers the basics of AI, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
• The course also includes a number of projects that students can work on to learn more about AI.
• Teachers can use this course to teach a unit on AI or to supplement their existing curriculum.
   

Teachable Machine
 

• Teachable Machine is a free online tool that allows students to create their own machine-learning models without any coding involved.
• Students can use Teachable Machine to create models that can recognize objects, classify images, and even generate text.
• Teachable Machine is a great resource for students who want to learn about machine learning in a fun and engaging way.
• Teachers can use Teachable Machine to supplement their existing curriculum or to create their own units on machine learning.
   

Quick Draw
 

• Quick Draw is a fun game where students can train a computer to recognize their doodles.
• Quick Draw is a great way for students to learn about machine learning and artificial intelligence in a fun and engaging way.
• Teachers can use Quick Draw as a supplement to their existing curriculum, or to create their own units on machine learning.

Conclusion: Shaping the Future with AI Education

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a thing of the future—it’s here, and it’s shaping our world in ways we might not even realize. As educators, it’s our responsibility to ensure that our students are not just consumers of this technology, but also understand it, question it, and can use it in innovative ways.

Through the resources we’ve explored in this guide—engaging books, informative videos, and interactive online platforms—we hope you feel empowered to bring AI education into your classroom. Remember, you don’t need to be an AI expert to teach about AI. You just need the passion for learning and the willingness to explore alongside your students.

As we navigate this exciting and somewhat uncharted territory, remember that the goal isn’t to turn every student into a computer scientist or AI expert. Instead, it’s about fostering curiosity, encouraging critical thinking, and building a foundation of understanding that students can take into whatever future awaits them.

By teaching AI education, we’re not just teaching a subject—we’re opening a door to a world of possibility. We’re equipping our students with the understanding and skills they need to navigate an AI-driven future, and perhaps even inspire them to shape that future themselves.

In the end, teaching AI to elementary students is about more than just technology. It’s about empowering our students to be informed, thoughtful, and innovative as they step into the future. So let’s step into that future together, one AI lesson at a time.