How young is too young to learn about AI? Why schools are falling behind in tech education

We know it's important for the talent of the future to familiarize themselves with AI if they want to have fruitful careers, but should they be starting as early as grade school?

Only 47% of current workers feel adequately prepared to work with AI, according to the Harvard Business Review's Workforce Study, with about 53% feeling unprepared and saying they need more training. And while younger generations may have had access to tech-savvy concepts like AI in college or in early development training at work, this tech and education expert wants to make the introduction earlier. 

"Currently, AI education is not keeping up with advancements," says Dr. Michael Everest, the CEO and founder of educational tech platform edYOU Technologies. "Traditional education systems often rely on outdated methods that do not fully leverage AI's capabilities — and it can end up stunting the efforts of companies willing to invest in AI experts by not providing students with up-to-date knowledge and skills."

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The main reason behind the discrepancy is that technology has evolved faster than curriculum with established policies and guardrails can be designed for it. According to a report from Trinity College London, two thirds of K-12 teachers think generic AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are still too unreliable and inaccurate for them to be effectively used in the classroom — both as subject matter and as a tool for teachers. 

But with 73% of employers admitting that hiring young talent with AI proficiency is their top priority in a recent survey from workplace insights platform HR Ed Drive, schools' hesitation to experiment with the tech could be setting their students up for failure in their careers before they've even graduated.  

"Without proper training and resources, students will be ill-equipped to meet the demands of the industry," Dr. Everest says. "Through our platform, we aim to address this by offering interactive, AI-driven learning experiences that could better prepare students for the real world."

Through edYou, which partners directly with schools, students are able to access interactive and easy-to-use learning resources and assessments that expose them to AI and foster skills relevant to today's market. The platform has developed a virtual AI instructor, Hannah, that explains concepts and answers questions in real time as well as simpler resources like themed presentations and games with AI-generated voice overs to help with understanding. 

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"Institutions are going to need to start addressing this proactively," Dr. Everest says. "AI's importance is only going to keep growing, and it's crucial for educational systems to catch up. Without intervention, students will continue to be unprepared for the evolving demands of the job market." 

In an effort to bridge some of the knowledge gap, more companies are investing in AI upskilling and reskilling in the workplace, but Dr. Everest still urges institutions to consider integrating AI into their curriculum however they can to ensure students are ready for future challenges.

"Waiting too long will leave students behind," Dr. Everest says. "By embracing AI now, institutions can provide a better educational experience and ensure their students' success in the future."