Parents are becoming more optimistic about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of education, especially for Gen Alpha and Gen Z students. According to a recent survey commissioned by Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and conducted by Morning Consult, 88 percent of parents believe that AI knowledge will be crucial for their children’s education and future careers. However, a significant 81 percent of parents are unsure if AI is currently part of their children’s curriculum, highlighting the need to increase awareness and parental involvement in AI discussions.
Ann Woo, Head of Corporate Citizenship for Samsung North America, emphasized the importance of narrowing the AI gap in education by providing students, educators, and parents with the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the impact of AI. The survey findings underscore the urgent need to enhance student education and teacher professional development for future success.
Key findings of the survey include the importance of AI knowledge, with 89 percent of parents agreeing that the next generation should play an active role in shaping the development and use of AI. Additionally, 84 percent of parents believe that offering teachers extra training on incorporating AI into the classroom is crucial. Parents are optimistic about AI’s potential in education, with 69 percent seeing it as a tool to significantly advance learning, especially in content creation, answering student questions, simulating real-world scenarios, and offering personalized learning experiences.
While some parents report that AI is already being used in their children’s curriculum, applications such as AI-powered educational games, content creation tools, and chatbots are seen as significantly enhancing education. Approximately 42 percent of parents note that their children are interested in specific AI tools, with Generative AI, Robotics, and Computer Vision being the most popular choices.
Despite their optimism, parents are also cautious about the challenges of integrating AI into education. Seventy percent believe that guidelines for AI education are essential, and 92 percent emphasize the importance of educating students about AI’s potential negative impacts. Concerns about dependence on AI, negative impacts on critical thinking skills, and the risk of cheating are also raised by parents. With 84 percent of parents highlighting the importance of teaching AI ethics and responsible use alongside technical skills.
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, a national STEM competition for public middle and high school students, aims to foster innovation and address community challenges through AI-driven solutions. Recent projects from the competition include an app and cane for visually impaired individuals, an AI-powered wildlife detection system, and a plush robot designed to preserve endangered Indigenous languages.
The 2024-2025 STEM competition is currently open for entries until October 24, 2024, providing students with the opportunity to explore the transformative potential of AI in addressing real-world issues within their communities. For more information on the competition and how to participate, visit Samsung.com/solve.
