MIT researchers are teaching children to program AI models

AI education for children: A new frontier: MIT researchers have developed a program called Little Language Models to teach children about artificial intelligence by allowing them to build small-scale versions of language models.

• The program, created by PhD researchers Manuj and Shruti Dhariwal at MIT’s Media Lab, aims to introduce complex AI concepts to children in a hands-on, interactive manner.
• Little Language Models helps demystify AI by allowing kids to visualize and build concepts in practice, rather than learning through theoretical lectures.

Key features and concepts:

• The program starts with a dice-based exercise to demonstrate probabilistic thinking, which underlies modern language models’ word prediction capabilities.
• Students can modify dice variables and probabilities, helping them understand how AI models make choices based on probabilities rather than perfect decisions.
• The tool can be used to illustrate important AI concepts such as bias in datasets, allowing students to experiment with different scenarios and outcomes.

Practical applications and benefits:

• Children can apply the concepts learned to their own projects, such as incorporating probabilistic thinking into game design.
• The program provides a platform for educators to discuss complex topics like bias in AI and how it scales to larger systems.
• Students can upload their own data, sounds, images, and cultural elements, making the learning experience more personalized and relevant.

Advanced concepts and features:

• The Dhariwals have implemented tools for exploring more complex ideas like Markov chains, where preceding variables influence subsequent outcomes.
• Children can experiment with these advanced concepts by creating AI models for tasks such as generating random Lego brick houses with specific color probabilities.

Expert opinions and educational impact:

• Mitch Resnick, co-creator of Scratch and the Dhariwals’ PhD advisor, endorses the program’s approach of supporting young learners through passion-based projects.
• Emma Callow, a learning experience designer, highlights the lack of playful resources for teaching children about data literacy and AI concepts creatively, positioning Little Language Models as a valuable educational tool.

Implementation and future prospects:

• Little Language Models is set to launch on the Dhariwals’ online education platform, coco.build, in mid-November.
• The program is being trialed in various schools over the next month, potentially filling a gap in the current educational landscape.
• Educators and parents see the program as an opportunity for children to learn about AI from a young age, potentially leading to wiser use of the technology in the future.

Broader implications: As AI continues to permeate various aspects of society, programs like Little Language Models may play a crucial role in preparing the next generation to understand, interact with, and potentially shape AI technologies, fostering a more AI-literate population.