Play Games

What is AI?

I'm Eleanor and I'm 7. My dad is teaching me about AI, and I use it to help make my games. Here's what I've learned so far.

So what is AI?

AI stands for artificial intelligence. It's a computer program that has learned from loads and loads of examples, so it can do clever things like write, draw pictures, answer questions and help make games.

But AI isn't alive. It doesn't have feelings and it isn't your friend, even when it sounds really friendly. It's a tool, a bit like a very clever pencil.

What AI is good at

  • Helping with ideas. I tell it my idea and it helps me make it bigger.
  • Making games. It writes the code for my games when I describe what I want.
  • Drawing pictures. The pictures on my website were made with AI, from a design we made together.
  • Explaining things. It can explain tricky words in a simple way.

What AI gets wrong

  • It makes mistakes. Sometimes it says things that aren't true, but it sounds really sure.
  • It can mess up pictures. When we made my website pictures we had to check every letter, because AI sometimes spells things wrong.
  • It doesn't really know you. It only knows what you tell it, so don't tell it secrets!
  • Our games had bugs. We test everything and fix what's wobbly.

My rules for using AI

  1. Always use AI with a grown-up.
  2. Never tell it your name, address, school, passwords or photos of you.
  3. Check what it says with a grown-up.
  4. If anything feels weird or scary, stop and tell a grown-up.
  5. You're the boss of your ideas. Be kind!

Can you spot what's safe to share?

Play my game Safe or Share? with Ellie the elephant and find out what you should keep secret online.

Play Safe or Share?

For grown-ups

We think children learn about AI best by using it alongside an adult: talking about what it gets wrong, and why personal information stays private. Some trusted places with more help: