The Dawn of the AI Era: Teens, Parents, and the Adoption of Generative AI at Home and School

The Dawn of the AI Era: Teens, Parents, and the Adoption of Generative AI at Home and School

Summary of Methodology

• Survey Participants:

  • 1,045 general population U.S. adults (ages 18 and older) who are parents or guardians of teens aged 13 to 18.
  • 1,045 adolescents aged 13 to 18.
  • Oversamples included 250 Black and 300 Latino teens.
  • All 18-year-old respondents were still in high school.

• Data Collection:

  • Conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Common Sense Media from March to May 2024.
  • Online surveys in English or Spanish.
  • Statistical significance tested at ( p < 0.05 ).
  • Total amounts may not sum to 100% due to rounding and nonresponse.

Key Findings

1. Initial Impact and Challenges:

   • ChatGPT and Generative AI: When OpenAI’s ChatGPT was released in November 2022, it sparked both excitement and concerns.
   • Cheating Concerns: Initial fears about widespread cheating were partly alleviated by recent studies suggesting that such concerns may have been overblown.
   • School Challenges: Schools have faced new challenges, including the use of generative AI for impersonation and harassment, particularly through deepfakes.

2. Adoption and Usage:

   • Parent and Teen Survey: The survey included paired (dyad) responses from parents and teens.
   • Teen Usage: Most teens considered generative AI tools acceptable for research and editorial support, but drew the line at using them to generate essays entirely.
   • Educational Integration: Some schools and districts initially rejected ChatGPT but later embraced it to help teachers and students learn to integrate it into the classroom.

3. Benefits and Risks:

   • Positive Potential: Educational institutions have experimented with the positive potential of generative AI, such as brainstorming new ideas, practicing languages, and developing lesson plans.
   • Risks and Concerns: Questions remain about the impact on critical skills like decision-making and writing. There are concerns about changes in human intelligence, creativity, and learning alongside these powerful agents.

4. Future Perspectives:

   • Changing Perceptions: Both teens and parents have seen changes in their views on the future, influenced by the integration of generative AI in education.

Conclusion

• The future of generative AI tools remains uncertain, with ongoing questions about skill development and the changing landscape of human intelligence and creativity.

---

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key findings, challenges, and future perspectives regarding the adoption and impact of generative AI among teens and parents in educational settings.