Google’s Bard: Empowering Teens in Learning with Responsible AI Assistance

Google is positioning Bard as an educational tool rather than a means of cheating, although educators may hold differing views on this matter. Following the precedent set by its Search Engine Experience (SGE), Google initially restricted access to Bard AI to users aged 18 and above. However, after extending SGE access to teenagers, Google is now introducing Bard to adolescents as young as 13 in most countries. Bard is set to acquire additional functionalities tailored towards learning.

The eligibility age for accessing Bard varies depending on the user’s location. Google will grant Bard access to any teenager meeting the minimum age requirement to manage their own Google Account. While this age is 13 in many countries, some places may require a higher age threshold. Starting from tomorrow, Google will make Bard accessible to any teenager meeting the specified minimum age requirement.

Google envisions teenagers utilizing Bard to aid in their academic endeavors and learning processes. For instance, a teenager could seek assistance from Bard in generating ideas for a science project or acquiring more information about a specific historical period for a report. The intention is for Bard to not complete the entire task but rather provide support in idea generation and fact-finding.

In addition, Bard now features enhanced math capabilities. Rather than simply furnishing the answer to a mathematical equation, the teen version of Bard guides users through the steps required to solve the problem before presenting the final solution. Although Bard provides the solution, this approach is geared towards fostering a learning environment. The new math feature is available to all users and may prove beneficial to parents struggling to assist with their child’s math homework.

Bard also offers assistance with data visualization, creating charts based on provided data or tables. For example, if given a list of volunteer hours worked, Bard can generate a bar chart. Google suggests that teenagers can seek writing tips for class speeches or aid in researching universities for college applications.

Google asserts that it is handling AI responsibly in this context. The company claims to have consulted experts in child safety and development and collaborated with the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI). According to Stephen Balkam, FOSI founder and CEO, Google’s approach to expanding Bard access to teenagers is thoughtful, backed by research indicating that most teens and parents anticipate that AI skills will play a crucial role in their future.

The acceptance of academic work assisted by AI chatbots, such as Bard or ChatGPT, in schools remains an open question. The increasing difficulty of determining when AI is employed adds complexity to this issue.