The whole world is novel to a child, and in order to learn most efficiently, curious children need opportunities to explore, experiment and play, in order to get to know their surroundings.
– Wendy L. Ostroff

An article in the New York Times, “I’m an A.I. Developer; Here’s How I’m Raising My Son,” explains that, “In a recent survey, 61 percent of parents said they worry that the increasing use of A.I. will harm students’ critical thinking skills.” The author asks these questions: “Will using large language models (which power tools like ChatGPT) hurt children’s development, or will not using them hinder their future employment prospects?”

He, as an A.I. developer, answers his own questions this way:

“I agree with the concerns that large language models tend to short-circuit a child’s thinking processes with easy, unearned answers. The instant gratification doesn’t encourage children to solve problems or take pleasure in difficult tasks. I further worry about the social effects of A.I. on them, when a child’s peers and mentors are no longer just their classmates and teachers, but also automated companions and perfectly engineered online personas.

I do think I will allow my son to use ChatGPT and similar tools at some point. But when I do, I plan to show him how to fact-check the sources the A.I. has provided, and make sure he understands that computers often ‘learn’ the wrong thing from online sources.”

In the Exchange Reflections, “Neuroscience of Curiosity,” author Wendy L. Ostroff explains how the hormone dopamine, novel experiences, free play, and asking questions stimulate children’s growth and critical thinking skills. This Reflections encourages discussion on ways to model curiosity, provide inquiry-driven environments, and nurture problem-solving.