AI double-edged sword on children, experts say

Participants and stakeholders in Uganda's digital sector attend a workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Kampala on December 10, 2024. PHOTO/VINCENT LUSAMBYA
What you need to know:
- UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said they are committed to pushing for initiatives to unlock the potential of AI to drive sustainable development.
Over exposure of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to children has both positive and negative impacts, experts said on Tuesday as they warned parents to slow down on new technology.
During a stakeholders’ consultative workshop on AI hosted by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) in Kampala, experts warned that continuous child exposure to AI is catastrophic.
“I know of a scenario where a school decided to create email addresses for young children, but due to the requirement of parental control for individuals aged under 18, the school simply made everyone 18 years of age,” said Michael Niyitegeka, the executive director of Refactory Uganda.
He added: “We need to educate our parents that when they share their devices with children, they pass on irrelevant information."
AI, according to the tech accelerator website is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Examples of AI applications include expert systems natural language processing.
Niyitegeka said there is urgent need for parents to invest in education to understand how technology works and how to manage online exposure for their children.
On his part, Nesta Paul Katende, the chief executive officer of Otic Foundation, urged collective action to democratize AI education and accelerate its adoption in various fields including education and business.
“The hunger for AI is undeniable but it’s our responsibility to ensure this knowledge reaches every citizen, we must act now to accelerate adoption across the nation,” he added.
Officiating at the event, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said they are committed to pushing for initiatives to unlock the potential of AI to drive sustainable development.
“Imagine AI precision farming enabling our farmers to predict weather patterns and maximize yields, or AI-driven personalized learning platforms transforming the education experience for our children,” he noted, adding “We must come together from a robust AI ecosystem, designing solutions that address our unique challenges.”
Nyombi highlighted that realizing the full potential of AI for Uganda requires unwavering collaboration among government bodies, academia, private sector players, and the civil society.