How AI Impacts Childhood

By Yesim Kunter
Yesim Kunter is a globally recognized Play Expert and Futurist, dedicated to understanding and leveraging the power of play. Over a decade ago, she founded Yesimkunter Ltd. in the UK, where she developed the ‘Play to Innovate®’ methodology after 18 years of in-depth research into play behaviors.

Previous to her consultancy worked at Toys R Us, Lego, and Hasbro as a play futurist. At Yesimkunter Ltd., she conceptualises innovative toy and game concepts, shapes new brands, and delves into product development for early childhood, understanding future needs and creating joyous experiences for all.

As a Play Facilitator, Kunter leads ‘PlaytoInnovate® Workshops’ for Fortune 500 companies, universities, and communities, training diverse groups in creative thinking and innovation. She has collaborated with top brands like McDonald’s, Hasbro, Unilever, Danone, EA, and Lego, applying play research to enhance their products.

In addition to her consultancy, she is a guest lecturer at prestigious universities globally, specializing in Innovation, Design Thinking, Service Design, Creativity, and Play Pedagogy. She has spoken at major conferences, including TEDx and the Children Media Conference, sharing insights on the future of play.

Yesim Kunter’s mission is to embed the essence of play in every aspect of life, fostering creativity and innovation in children and professionals alike.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live, work, and learn. From chatbots and virtual assistants to interactive toys and educational platforms, AI is becoming more prevalent in the lives of children. But what does the future hold for the impact of AI on childhood? What changes will we see in the next 2–3 years, 5–10 years, and beyond?

To answer these questions, we need to look at the ways that AI is currently being used in education, entertainment, and other child-focused applications. We also need to consider the potential opportunities and challenges that AI could present for children as they grow up in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Horizon 1: Outlook 2–3 years

In the next 2–3 years, we can expect to see a growing number of AI-powered educational tools and platforms. These tools will offer personalized and adaptive learning experiences that cater to the unique needs and learning styles of individual children. AI will also be used to provide children with real-time feedback and support, helping them to learn more effectively and efficiently.

Interactive AI-powered toys and games will also continue to grow in popularity, offering new forms of entertainment and learning for children. These toys and games will feature advanced AI algorithms that can respond to children’s actions and adapt to their abilities, providing a more engaging and rewarding experience.

At the same time, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants will become more common, providing children with new ways to interact with technology and access information. These chatbots and virtual assistants will be designed to be child-friendly, providing a safe and supportive environment for children to learn and explore.

Horizon 2: Outlook 5–10 years

But what about the longer term outlook? What changes can we expect to see in the next 5–10 years as AI continues to evolve and mature?

One major development will be the growing sophistication of social robots and other AI-powered machines. These machines will be capable of interacting with children in more complex and meaningful ways, potentially providing new opportunities for learning and development. For example, social robots could be used to teach children social skills and emotional intelligence, or to provide support and companionship to children who are struggling with loneliness or isolation.

Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies will also become more sophisticated, offering new ways for children to learn and explore the world. These technologies will enable children to experience immersive and interactive simulations that can bring abstract concepts to life and help them to understand complex ideas more easily.

As AI continues to be integrated into education and other child-focused applications, we can expect to see significant changes in the ways that children learn and develop. For example, AI could enable children to learn at their own pace and in their own way, rather than being forced to conform to a one-size-fits-all curriculum. This could lead to more personalised and effective learning experiences, as well as greater engagement and motivation among children.

Horizon 3: Outlook >10 years

Looking further into the future, the impact of AI on childhood may become even more profound. As AI systems become more integrated into everyday life, children will grow up with new expectations and abilities that will shape the way they interact with the world.

For example, the development of advanced AI-powered robots could change the way that children interact with machines. These robots could be designed to provide emotional support, perform household tasks, or even serve as companions and playmates. However, this could also lead to new ethical and social challenges, such as the risk of children becoming overly reliant on machines or losing important social and interpersonal skills.

The integration of AI into education and other child-focused applications may also lead to significant changes in the job market and the economy. As children grow up with these AI-powered learning tools and platforms, they may develop new skills and abilities that are highly valued in the workforce of the future. For example, children who are trained to work with AI systems may be better equipped to succeed in jobs that require advanced technological skills.

At the same time, the widespread use of AI could also lead to significant job displacement and economic disruption. Some jobs that are currently done by humans may become automated, leading to unemployment and a shift in the nature of work.

In navigating these potential opportunities and challenges, it will be important to keep in mind the values and principles that guide our use of AI in childhood. We need to ensure that AI is being used in ways that are safe, beneficial, and ethical for children.

By following these principles, we can help to ensure that AI is being used in ways that support the healthy and positive development of children. We can also work to address the challenges and risks that may arise, such as job displacement, ethical concerns, and the potential for children to become overly reliant on machines.

In conclusion, the impact of AI on childhood is likely to be significant and far-reaching, with changes unfolding across different horizons. In the short term, we can expect to see new AI-powered educational tools, interactive toys and games, and chatbots and virtual assistants. In the medium term, we can anticipate the development of more sophisticated social robots, virtual and augmented reality technologies, and personalized learning experiences. In the long term, we may see even more profound changes, including the integration of AI into everyday life, the emergence of new job markets and economies, and the potential for children to develop new skills and abilities.

As we navigate these changes, we must keep our values and principles in mind, focusing on the needs and well-being of children. With careful thought and intentional action, we can help to ensure that AI is being used in ways that benefit children, families, and society as a whole.

About the authors:

Yesim Kunter has twenty years of experience in Toy Industry, Play Research, Guest Lecturing, Future, Scope and Playful learning implementation.

Anna Kollenbrandt knows how to handle dynamic and complex projects from Toy Industry to Space Industry, Trend Analysis, Strategic Foresight, Business Analytics.

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