A video cartoon story and an educational toolkit to help young people navigate the pros and cons of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has been developed with the support of Aberdeen school pupils.
The Hazlehead Academy Secondary Year Three (S3) youngsters worked with Dr Dina Martzoukou, Associate Professor School of Law and Social Sciences at Robert Gordon University (RGU) and Project Lead for the ‘Maddie is Online’ digital skills project for RAi UK (Responsible AI UK), on the Generative Artificial Intelligence Skills in Schools (GenAISiS) project.
Councillor Martin Greig, convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, Aberdeen City Council, said: “Collaborating with Dr Martzoukou on the Generative AI project has been a great benefit for the Hazlehead students. This specialised learning experience has really helped with understanding the potential benefits that artificial intelligence offers as well as the ethical consequences.
“It is good to know that important issues have been considered about the reliability of information and issues of privacy, and responsibility. The workshop has been able to develop insights about the role that digital technology can have in interpreting and shaping the world around us.”
At a presentation to the S3 pupils, Dr Martzoukou revealed the results of the GenAISiS project – which has been running since October last year – which collected data from the pupils about their engagement, feelings and experiences with Generative Artificial Intelligence.
Dr Dina Martzoukou, Associate Professor School of Law and Social Sciences at RGU, said: "Grounded in the rights of children and young people, this project champions media and information literacy by means of exploring global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change while critically examining how AI generates content.
“Co-designing creative educational resources with young people was a powerful experience, amplifying their voices and perspectives on AI-driven misinformation, data safety, and bias. Their contributions will directly support other learners in navigating the Generative AI landscape responsibly. The aim now is to roll out the toolkit to schools locally and also more widely across Scotland.”
John, a Secondary Year Three pupil at Hazlehead Academy, said: “The project was great. I think the more you learn about AI the more you will understand the dangers of it and how to use it for the better.”
Marcie, also a Second Year Threepupil at Hazlehead Academy, said: “I found this project intriguing, entertaining, and educational. Learning about different AI platforms, such as Copilot and GPT-3, was quite enjoyable. It was also exceptionally fun to explore these AI platforms and uncover how they worked.”
Dr Chinedu Pascal Ezenkwu, Lecturer, School of Computing, Engineering & Technology at RGU is the project’s co-investigator. RGU research assistants Palika Vithana and Beulah Lowry also helped to design many activities in the toolkit.
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is a partner of the project. The project also recognised how school librarians have a key role in fostering the responsible use of GenAI.
To access the video cartoon playlist, go to https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlUx8jQ1MCcRtHt888BoOyQP54HWH6UqC&si=MjEw8VA0LFvG3LsH
To access the toolkit, please click on https://online.visual-paradigm.com/community/bookshelf/default-1444l1ntn9 (the red book).
Photo from left to right: Marcie, Secondary Year Three pupil at Hazlehead Academy; Dr Chinedu Pascal Ezenkwu, Lecturer, School of Computing, Engineering & Technology at Robert Gordon University; Dr Dina Martzoukou, Associate Professor School of Law and Social Sciences at Robert Gordon University; and Michelle, Secondary Year Three pupil at Hazlehead Academy.