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In the past year, we have seen an explosion in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in all areas of our society. Businesses are finding ways to utilize AI to increase their marketing potential, design new projects and even analyze large swathes of data. In education, students are finding ways to utilize AI for research, papers and projects. Sometimes these uses of AI are allowed, but often students can use AI to cheat and avoid doing the work themselves. Then there are fun AI bots that many teens use at home to try out new hairstyles or create pictures of their favorite sports team winning a championship.
While many of these uses of AI are fun and harmless, there are some uses that pose concerns. For example, a member of the NAC team recently tested out Planned Parenthood's "Roo" AI to ask about abstinence. Roo told our team member, who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, that the average age when people have sex for the first time is 17, "but everyone gets to decide what's right for them." There was no mention of discussing this topic with parents, no mention of the benefits of abstinence, and no reference to laws regarding statutory rape which vary by state but often include a 14-year-old with any sexual contact. There are many such AI chat bots that provide information that is inaccurate, misleading and dangerous.
Parents are the primary educators of their children, and it is crucial that AI not be allowed to take that away from them. Actively forming your child in virtue is one of the most important tasks that you can take on. But this role as a parent was given to you by God, and thus He will empower you in this role. Talk to your children about what kind of AI they utilize and encourage them to come to you with any questions before turning to AI.