How is AI changing our students?

11 Apr

In April 2023, Snapchat launched myAI, an AI chatbot embedded within its popular app.

With no warning, training, or prior consideration, 750 million users had an AI chatbot at their fingertips.

Early criticism of the feature centred on inappropriate information given by the chatbot.

There were screenshots being shared of the chatbot telling underage partygoers how to mask the smell of alcohol and marijuana or engage in underage sex and lie to their parents about it.

*The Strangest of Snapchat Updates — “MyAi”, via* *The Square*

While these reports are concerning, little was said about the deeper “story” within an AI chatbot used by hundreds of millions of teens.

When I say “story”, I’m referencing philosopher and theologian Derek Schuurman, who argues: “Down in the DNA of every new technology, including the various manifestations of AI, there is a story being told about the world.”

This follows on from the work of Neil Postman, who famously argued that, “Embedded in every technology there is a powerful idea, sometimes two or three powerful ideas.”

These ideas could have been placed there deliberately by the designers, or they may be an unintended byproduct, but they are there nonetheless. If we aren’t careful, as we use these technologies we are slowly shaped by the ideas and start believing the stories.

So, what are the “powerful ideas” embedded in an AI chatbot for teens? What “story” is myAI telling about the world?

This is my best guess:

Conversations should be about the topics I want to discuss, and they should last as long as I want them to.
A good conversation is one where I have my emotional and intellectual needs met in a way that feels right to me.
A bad conversation is one where my conversational partner doesn’t tell me what I want to hear or engage with me in a way that feels good.

While accessing age-inappropriate information is concerning, more concerning still is that this technology could shape a student’s entire understanding of interpersonal relationships.

The ideas within this technology could transform every relationship they have for the worse.