If you know me, you’ll know I’m pretty passionate about AI. I’ve been lucky enough to work with — and learn from — some of the best AI education specialists and academics from around the world. These aren’t people caught up in the hype or hysteria; they’re researchers, practitioners, and leaders who understand the realities, risks, and huge potential of this fast-moving field.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from working in this space? It’s that panic doesn’t help anyone.
There’s a lot of noise, fear, and misinformation out there when it comes to AI. Much of it is disproportionate, and sometimes just plain wrong. My mission is simple: to bring efficient clarity to AI education, especially in schools and homes — because AI isn’t coming, it’s already here.
So, what’s the number one thing parents and educators can do to reduce risks for young people?
Watch your language. Seriously.
The way we talk about AI matters. Language is powerful — especially around young, curious, and impressionable minds. One of the best things we can do is stop humanising AI.
Let’s stop saying “it thinks.”
AI doesn’t “think.” It doesn’t feel. It doesn’t understand. It doesn’t have intention. It processes, predicts, and responds based on data and patterns. That’s it.
When we use human words like “it’s learning” or “it’s creative,” we blur the lines between machine and mind — and that can cause confusion, inflate expectations, and build misplaced trust (or fear) in young people. Clarity starts with language.
Another major takeaway for me lately? Bias.
AI tools are only as good as the data they’re trained on. And right now, that data is often limited, imbalanced, or skewed in ways that reflect long-standing inequalities. Want a quick reality check?
Try this experiment:
Ask your favourite generative AI app to draw an image of a “scientist.”
Or a “CEO.”
Or a group of “happy children.”
Or, for a more technical test — ask for images of hands wiggling fingers or feet wiggling toes.
You might notice some weird distortions… or some pretty strong gender and racial patterns.
Now put that into the context of recent debates — like those surrounding the Netflix series Adolescence — and we’re potentially magnifying problematic social narratives with tech that is increasingly shaping how young people see themselves and the world around them.
And yet — I still love AI.
Because when used well, it’s brilliant. It’s empowering. It’s an incredible time-saver, a thinking partner, a revision buddy, a creative spark. For neurodivergent students (and adults), AI can be a game changer — supporting planning, sequencing, self-expression, and executive function in ways that are genuinely helpful.
So here’s my mantra for schools, parents, and anyone dabbling with AI:
Know what you’re using.
Know how to use it.
Know how not to use it.
And most importantly, talk about it with young people in a way that builds their understanding, not their fear — or worse, their overconfidence.
I’ll be sharing more practical tools and insights over the coming weeks, but for now — if you want to see how I bring this message to life, head over to my Instagram post on AI and give it a like!
I work with schools to educate anyone who makes eye contact with me on AI, its use, its dangers, and its incredible potential — because AI isn’t the future. It’s now.
And we need to get it right.