UK Children’s Parliament Top Team Interviews AI Visionary Emad Mostaque, Sparking Groundbreaking Taskforce
At a landmark meeting in the House of Lords, the UK Children’s Parliament senior team took part in a thought-provoking dialogue with Imad Mushtaq, co-founder of Stability AI and now Schelling AI, an AI visionary.
This unprecedented interaction between young minds and a leading figure in the development of artificial intelligence has prompted the formation of a pioneering working group in the field of artificial intelligence and digital safety.
Child Treasurer Aryan Shekhar, Child Prime Minister Clark Derson (age 11), and Deputy Child Prime Minister Naila Sital (age 10) asked Mustache insightful questions about the future of artificial intelligence and its implications for their generation.
The discussion, held in Baroness Aldin’s office, covered a wide range of topics, including accessibility of AI tools, ethical considerations in AI development, and the potential impact of AI on education and future labor markets.
Mustak stressed the importance of children’s perspectives in shaping the future of AI, saying: “I especially think it’s important for kids to be heard on this because you’ll grow up as AI natives, just like the generation before you will grow up as Internet natives.” “This technology is used every day.”
This useful exchange has led to the establishment of a special taskforce on AI and digital safety by the UK Children’s Parliament. Led by Baroness Oudden, Co-Chair of the Children’s Parliament All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and the Metaverse and Web 3.0 APPG, this initiative aims to ensure that children’s voices are at the forefront of shaping policies around AI and digital technologies. safety.
The task force will bring together elementary-age children with adult industry leaders, creating a unique platform for intergenerational dialogue and collaboration. Chaired by Baroness Auden, this diverse group will work together to address the complex challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
During the meeting with Mustak, child MPs raised important questions about access to AI tools and the potential impact of AI on future labor markets.
Mustak shared his thoughts on democratizing AI tools, explaining that kids can now create their own AI apps, like homework assistants, with relative ease.
“You can create your own GPT tools as a homework helper just by telling it what to do,” he said. “It removed a lot of barriers to programming. It enables you to debug your code, augment your code to create video games, and more.”
Addressing concerns about the impact of AI on future labor markets, Mustak acknowledged the validity of these concerns but emphasized the creation of new opportunities: “We have seen that with every technological revolution. This is the biggest technological revolution. But we are always creating new jobs. We need to AI-powered jobs depend on what health and education will look like in the future.
The newly formed Children’s Parliament Taskforce will focus on several key areas:
- Ethical considerations in the development and use of artificial intelligence
- Teaching digital literacy to children, parents and teachers
- Ensuring diverse representation in AI development
- Promoting transparency and accountability in artificial intelligence systems
- Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance educational experiences
- Address privacy and data protection concerns of young users
By bringing together children, experts and industry leaders, the task force aims to create a more comprehensive and thoughtful approach to AI development and implementation, with a focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of children in digital spaces.
Baroness Oudden commented on the initiative, saying: “This task force is a crucial step in ensuring that the voices of our youngest citizens are heard in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, the Metaverse, Web 3.0, quantum computing and all digital technologies. By uniting primary-aged children with adult industry leaders, we aim to To develop policies and guidelines that will shape a safer and more inclusive digital future for all.
Chief Minister for Children, Clarke Dearson, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying: “As children, we have grown up with this technology, and it is important that we have a say in how it is developed and used. I am excited to work with experts and other children to ensure that AI is safe and beneficial for everyone.”
The formation of this task force builds on the momentum generated by the historic Children’s Parliament session organized by Baroness Aldean and MP Anna Firth, which took place in the House of Lords in April 2023.
That session saw MPs with primary school-aged children engage in dialogue with executives from Google ParentZone, Internet Matters, Roblox and Goldsmith University, demonstrating the value of including young people’s voices in discussions about digital technologies and safety.
As the task force begins its work, it will continue to engage with AI developers, policy makers and educators to ensure that children’s interests and safety remain at the forefront of technological progress. This initiative serves as a model for other countries, demonstrating the importance of engaging young voices in shaping the future of AI and digital safety.
The UK Children’s Parliament Taskforce on AI and Digital Safety represents a pivotal moment in recognizing the importance of children’s perspectives on the rapidly advancing field of AI and technology. By fostering open dialogue between young minds and industry experts, the Children’s Parliament paves the way for a more comprehensive and thoughtful approach to AI development and implementation.
As artificial intelligence continues to shape our world, initiatives like this task force will be crucial in ensuring that the benefits of technology are achieved while minimizing the potential risks, especially for the youngest members of society. The collaboration between primary-age children and adult industry leaders, led by Baroness Auden, promises to provide new perspectives and innovative solutions to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and digital technologies.