BBC Teach > micro:bit – the next gen > playground survey
AI and machine learning can seem intimidating concepts for digital novices but both areas are becoming a more familiar part of the world around us.
With this in mind the BBC micro:bit playground survey is offering an activity for primary school children that’s focussed on machine learning skills and aims to get pupils using real-world data to train their own machine learning model.
We spoke to three technology experts to get their insights on the future of AI and machine learning, the importance of children learning digital skills and where to get started.
Dr Jane Waite is a Senior Research Scientist at the Raspberry Pi Foundation working in the area of AI education.
Mark Anderson has worked with thousands of educators and institutions, providing strategic insights into teaching, learning with technology and AI .
Hosanna Hali works as a trusted digital advisor and technical lead across a number of organisations. As the Founder of The Tech Cornr, she is passionate about inspiring young women to pursue a career in tech.
How would you define artificial intelligence?
Dr Jane Waite (JW): There has been lots of excitement in the last few years over Artificial Intelligence. AI systems use data, or very complex sets of rules, for the models that are the basis for products. AI is often now used to describe this ‘model-based’ technology. AI systems are not alive, and they can’t understand in the way you or I do. But we use the word AI to talk about technologies that can create output that mimics how people might respond to a task.
Mark Anderson (MA): Artificial intelligence is a type of technology that, based on extensive training, aims to mimic human intelligence.
Hosanna Hali (HH): Artificial Intelligence is the process of making computers smarter so that they can understand things that we do such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. We teach computers using algorithms that helps them learn from experiences.
How would you define machine learning?
JW: Machine learning is one of the techniques that people can use to build Artificial Intelligence system models. Machine learning techniques use lots of data to create a model, it is a technique that finds patterns in vast amounts of data and builds a representation of the connections. These models work by predicting what is the most likely word to be next outputted, given a particular task.
MA: Machine learning is a subset of AI which involves the study of computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience. It’s about using data to teach machines how to make decisions without being explicitly programmed for specific tasks.
HH: Machine learning is the part of Artificial Intelligence that focuses on algorithms. If we want computers to get smarter, we have to teach them using data. When we show the computer lots of the same data, it starts to learn and understand what the data is and then can figure out patterns and make predictions.
Why is it important for young people aged 7-11 to learn about this field?
JW: All around the world, new products and systems are being introduced that use AI. These systems will make a difference to everyone’s lives including young people in school.
MA: It’s important because these technologies are shaping their future. Understanding them will help children to understand how technology influences the world they live in.
HH: Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning are the future. This field has a huge impact on how we live every day, and the world is going to change drastically. Therefore, it’s important to have the skills to better navigate and contribute to this new way of life.
Why is the BBC micro:bit playground survey important?
JW: Everyone can do computing, its easy and fun. Doing activities that highlight data is essential, data will drive the AI and machine learning models that will shape our world, so understanding how to record and analyse data will be even more important. The BBC micro:bit playground survey is a perfect activity to do all these things.
MA: The BBC micro:bit playground survey is a fantastic series of curriculum-aligned resources, that help both teachers (who might lack in some confidence with technology and computing) with ideas and content that importantly, help children with their learning.
HH: The survey is important because getting children informed and excited about data science and digital skills is crucial to setting them up for their future. We are living in a tech-focussed world, having digital skills and understanding data will help children to better navigate a world where technology plays a central role.
In your opinion, what is the coolest thing AI and machine learning are currently capable of?
JW: I think the work that is being done on medicine is cool. This work is looking at different ways to identify when people are poorly and also at medicines and methods to make people better. For example, stethoscopes with built-in AI technology could help doctors detect heart failure, software used with medical scans could help better predict diseases and drugs could be improved to treat cancer by using AI.
MA: The coolest thing about technology is that it gives us the ability to do things that wouldn’t be possible without technology. The coolest application of AI and machine learning at the moment is around new forms of generative AI, which will help bring creativity to new levels.
HH: I think the coolest thing that AI and machine learning can do today is help us with the advancement of healthcare, [they] can help us drastically cut down the time of diagnosis for diseases such as cancer by analysing medical imaging data to help medical professionals find diagnoses more accurately and efficiently.
How do you think AI will develop in the future? Are you worried about it and the way it is trained?
JW: At the moment, we don’t really know what new AI systems will be developed, nor what laws will be created by governments to control such work. That’s why it’s important for people to understand the technology, so that they can help to shape the good uses of AI systems and stop bad uses.
MA: I do worry about AI, particularly how it has learned what it has learned. AI will become ever more integrated into everyday life. Bias, data privacy, and the ethical use of AI are key issues everyone should be mindful of. Ongoing dialogue and strong regulation are key, this reinforces the need to make sure young people are educated about AI and machine learning.
HH: I think AI has the capability to be as smart as humans [and] will very much play a crucial part in every aspect of human life. I am a bit worried about AI, simply because computers can only learn what we teach them, and in our society now there are still biases and discrimination. There are lots of ethical considerations and that’s why I think it’s so important for all of us to have AI and machine learning skills.
Do you use AI in your job?
JW: AI technology is built into systems that I use. For example, when I search on the internet, in word processing software, or in spreadsheets. I am happy to use AI software where it’s just for helping me find, edit and work out things.
MA: I use generative AI every day in my work. I do try to make my use cognisant though as AI isn’t the answer to everything. Sure it makes me more efficient, but importantly, given the environmental impact of using AI (it’s estimated it takes 500ml of water to cool the processors in the data centres), these tools can sometimes be a bit like using a sledgehammer to tap in a nail. Education for pupils and teachers alike is important so that we all use the right tool for the job.
HH: I use AI at work because it is embedded in the tools I use. For example, I use a PowerPoint feature to help me make creative and professional presentations, as the tool uses AI to suggest design ideas based on the content of your slides. I would love to use AI chatbots to help me write emails, do research, and answer technical questions.
How do you think AI will affect the jobs and careers children might go on to have?
JW: There will be lots of changes to jobs and careers, it’s hard to know though what that will be. Many of the changes will depend on us, if we don’t stand up for ourselves, to say yes, this is a good change or no, it’s not, then things will turn out differently.
MA: AI, like any technology, is a tool to be used to help humans. The trick to being successful with technology often isn’t the technology itself but your cognisance of how it can help, when it is helpful, and then how to use it. The job of education now is to help young people be more discerning users of these technologies.
HH: AI will have a huge impact on the future job market. The first reason is that AI has the capability to replace several jobs that exist today. AI can automate routine and repetitive tasks, [and] also help create new jobs that don’t exist now, especially in technology.
What makes you so passionate about AI (and computing more broadly) in education?
JW: AI technology is going to have a huge impact on people’s lives. So to give everyone the best chance to get the most out of this and not be disadvantaged, we need everyone to learn about it.
MA: I love technology. AI and computing are the gateways to helping in everything in life. It makes the world a smaller place and can help to solve life’s biggest questions
HH: I started The Tech Cornr because I wanted to create a platform to educate, inspire, and empower people to start careers in technology. I wanted the next generation to be excited and equipped with the right skills to succeed in a tech-led society.
The BBC micro:bit playground survey was created to help children aged 7 – 11 get to grips with data science and digital skills in a fun and practical way. Find out more about the seven activities and get free resources on the playground survey site.
This article was published in June 2024.
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