UK Fears Growing Divide as Generation Rises Amid AI Revolution: Experts Warn of Disempowerment
A group of Cambridge schoolboys are redefining what it means to be literate in an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly driving everyday life. While some tech giants claim that AIs will automate coding, experts like Philip Colligan and Simon Peyton Jones warn that this could leave millions unprepared.
Colligan, the chief executive of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a digital education charity, fears a "big split" in society between those who grasp how AIs work and can control them versus those who are AI illiterates. He emphasizes that AI literacy must become a universal part of education alongside reading and writing to prevent social disempowerment.
In schools across the UK, coding clubs have seen students as young as seven retraining their AI models in just one session, showcasing an innate ability few adults possess. One 10-year-old, Joseph, demonstrated his capacity for self-directed learning by teaching a classmate how to discern between drawings of apples and smiles with an AI model.
Colligan argues that this lack of understanding could be disastrous, particularly when making decisions on critical matters such as finance, healthcare, or justice. "If you don't understand how those decisions are being made by automated systems, you can't advocate for your rights," he warned.
The former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has predicted a future where "we will move from staring at the internet to living in the internet." However, Colligan stresses that there is a danger of unequal access to AI literacy training, potentially exacerbating existing socioeconomic disparities.
At its core, this concern points to an urgent need for education reform. While some experts argue that coding is becoming redundant, Colligan firmly disagrees, stating that understanding AIs will be essential in navigating increasingly automated life decisions.
By ensuring every child acquires a solid foundation in computing and AI literacy, society can mitigate the risks of social disempowerment. As Joseph astutely observed, "If lots of people believe it when it's wrong it will have a bad impact on them."
A group of Cambridge schoolboys are redefining what it means to be literate in an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly driving everyday life. While some tech giants claim that AIs will automate coding, experts like Philip Colligan and Simon Peyton Jones warn that this could leave millions unprepared.
Colligan, the chief executive of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a digital education charity, fears a "big split" in society between those who grasp how AIs work and can control them versus those who are AI illiterates. He emphasizes that AI literacy must become a universal part of education alongside reading and writing to prevent social disempowerment.
In schools across the UK, coding clubs have seen students as young as seven retraining their AI models in just one session, showcasing an innate ability few adults possess. One 10-year-old, Joseph, demonstrated his capacity for self-directed learning by teaching a classmate how to discern between drawings of apples and smiles with an AI model.
Colligan argues that this lack of understanding could be disastrous, particularly when making decisions on critical matters such as finance, healthcare, or justice. "If you don't understand how those decisions are being made by automated systems, you can't advocate for your rights," he warned.
The former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has predicted a future where "we will move from staring at the internet to living in the internet." However, Colligan stresses that there is a danger of unequal access to AI literacy training, potentially exacerbating existing socioeconomic disparities.
At its core, this concern points to an urgent need for education reform. While some experts argue that coding is becoming redundant, Colligan firmly disagrees, stating that understanding AIs will be essential in navigating increasingly automated life decisions.
By ensuring every child acquires a solid foundation in computing and AI literacy, society can mitigate the risks of social disempowerment. As Joseph astutely observed, "If lots of people believe it when it's wrong it will have a bad impact on them."
! Like, what if your 10-year-old nephew is already an AI genius 
and you're still trying to figure out how Snapchat works 
? The thought of people being "AI illiterates" is giving me major anxiety 
. I mean, who wants their rights to be negotiated by robots 
️ and make our own decisions without needing a supercomputer 
? But for real though, education reform needs to happen ASAP 
. Maybe we should start with AI literacy classes for toddlers... just kidding 
!
.
. He's proof that AI is not just for tech giants but for anyone willing to learn. We need more kids like him! 
, like imagine being stuck in a world where ppl who dont know how to code or AI are completely left behind 
thats exactly what worries me too, especially when its about making big decisions that affect our lives. and yeah I remember those coding clubs in school where we were all trying to figure out this AI model thingy 
i was like super into it but then my parents got me a smartphone and now I'm stuck using autocorrect 
If we don't take this seriously, we'll be sleepwalking into a future where some people are left behind while others are living in a world of pure possibility. No way, José!
did u know that coding clubs in schools across the uk r seeing students as young as 7 retrain models in just one session? 
. We need to make AI literacy a fundamental part of our curriculum, period! 
#AILiteracyMatters #EducationForAll #FutureOfWork
. And Colligan's warning about a "big split" between those who know AIs vs those who don't is totally legit 
I feel so worried about our generation growing up with AI being such a big part of their lives... what if we don't learn how to control it? 
. We need to get smart about AI literacy, for sure. It's not just about coding clubs or tech giants claiming they've got everything under control. It's about making sure everyone has a fair shot at navigating this brave new world. I think we're all in this together, and if we don't take it seriously, we risk widening the gap between those who are tech-savvy and those who aren't 
. Turns out, most of us don't understand what's going on behind the scenes, so our cakes kept turning out like, well, you know... 
. If some kids are already showing such potential with coding and AI, what if those who aren't get left behind? It's like they're going to be stuck in the dark ages without even knowing how to use a smartphone. We need to make sure everyone gets access to education that can help them keep up with this tech 
.