Artificial Intelligence and Children: Challenges and Opportunities in Education

The Vice Rector of Research and Innovation at Neapolis University Paphos, Savvas Chatzichristofis, warns about the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on children. In statements to "Phileleftheros", he emphasized that children trust AI and ask it about important issues, receiving answers that, although friendly and quick, lack empathy and truth.

Mr. Chatzichristofis stresses the need for early intervention in education, before AI shapes children's thinking. He suggests integrating AI into education from elementary school, connecting it with poetry, music, history, and philosophy, in order to cultivate critical thinking and ethical resilience in children.

Furthermore, Mr. Chatzichristofis warns of the dangers if the State does not establish a framework for children's education on AI, thus allowing the market to determine the terms. He emphasizes that the school must function as a bulwark and a creative field, teaching children how to use AI with critical thinking and empathy.

He mentions the example of the poem "Η Xanthoula" by Dionysios Solomos, which was turned into a song with the help of AI, in rhythms chosen by the children, making it more familiar and beloved.