Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that
are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. The term may also be applied
to any machine that exhibits traits associated with a human mind such as learning and
problem-solving. The ideal characteristic of artificial intelligence is its ability to rationalize and
take actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal. A subset of artificial
intelligence is machine learning (ML), which refers to the concept that computer programs
can automatically learn from and adapt to new data without being assisted by humans. Deep
learning techniques enable this automatic learning through the absorption of huge amounts
of unstructured data such as text, images, or videos. The first artificial intelligence is thought
to be a checkers-playing computer built by Oxford University (UK) computer scientists in
1951.

Artificial intelligence is based on the principle that human intelligence can be defined in a
way that a machine can easily mimic it and execute tasks, from the most simple to those that
are even more complex. The goals of artificial intelligence include mimicking human cognitive
activity. Researchers and developers in the field are making surprisingly rapid strides in
mimicking activities such as learning, reasoning, and perception, to the extent that these can
be concretely defined. Some believe that innovators may soon be able to develop systems
that exceed the capacity of humans to learn or reason out any subject. But others remain
skeptical because all cognitive activity is laced with value judgments that are subject to
human experiences.

As technology advances, previous benchmarks that defined artificial intelligence become

outdated. For example, machines that calculate basic functions or recognize text through
optical character recognition are no longer considered to embody artificial intelligence, since
this function is now taken for granted as an inherent computer function. AI is continuously
evolving to benefit many different industries. Machines are wired using a cross-disciplinary
approach based on mathematics, computer science, linguistics, psychology, and more.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence

The applications for artificial intelligence are endless. The technology can be applied to many
different sectors and industries. AI is being tested and used in the healthcare industry for
dosing drugs and doling out different treatments tailored to specific patients, and for aiding
in surgical procedures in the operating room.

Other examples of machines with artificial intelligence include computers that play chess and
self-driving cars. Each of these machines must weigh the consequences of any action they
take, as each action will impact the end result. In chess, the end result is winning the game.
For self-driving cars, the computer system must account for all external data and compute it
to act in a way that prevents a collision.

Artificial intelligence also has applications in the financial industry, where it is used to detect
and flag activity in banking and finance such as unusual debit card usage and large account
deposits—all of which help a bank's fraud department. Applications for AI are also being used
to help streamline and make trading easier. This is done by making supply, demand, and
pricing of securities easier to estimate.

Types of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be divided into two different categories: weak and strong. Weak
artificial intelligence embodies a system designed to carry out one particular job. Weak AI
systems include video games such as the chess example from above and personal assistants
such as Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri. You ask the assistant a question, and it answers it for
you.

Strong artificial intelligence systems are systems that carry on the tasks considered to be
human-like. These tend to be more complex and complicated systems. They are programmed
to handle situations in which they may be required to problem solve without having a person
intervene. These kinds of systems can be found in applications like self-driving cars or in
hospital operating rooms.

ARGUMENT AGAINST AI

 Since its beginning, artificial intelligence has come under scrutiny from scientists and the
public alike. One common theme is the idea that machines will become so highly
developed that humans will not be able to keep up and they will take off on their own,
redesigning themselves at an exponential rate.
 Another is that machines can hack into people's privacy and even be weaponized. Other
arguments debate the ethics of artificial intelligence and whether intelligent systems such
as robots should be treated with the same rights as humans.
 Self-driving cars have been fairly controversial as their machines tend to be designed for
the lowest possible risk and the least casualties. If presented with a scenario of colliding
with one person or another at the same time, these cars would calculate the option that
would cause the least amount of damage.
 Another contentious issue many people have with artificial intelligence is how it may
affect human employment. With many industries looking to automate certain jobs
through the use of intelligent machinery, there is a concern that people would be pushed
out of the workforce. Self-driving cars may remove the need for taxis and car-share
 programs, while manufacturers may easily replace human labor with machines, making
people's skills obsolete.

CATEGORIES OF AI

Artificial intelligence can be categorized into one of four types:

1. Reactive AI: uses algorithms to optimize outputs based on a set of inputs. Chess-playing
AIs, for example, are reactive systems that optimize the best strategy to win the game.
Reactive AI tends to be fairly static, unable to learn or adapt to novel situations. Thus, it will
produce the same output given identical inputs.

2. Limited memory AI can adapt to past experience or update itself based on new
observations or data. Often, the amount of updating is limited (hence the name), and the
length of memory is relatively short. Autonomous vehicles, for example, can "read the road"
and adapt to novel situations, even "learning" from past experience.

3. Theory-of-mind AI are fully-adaptive and have an extensive ability to learn and retain past
experiences. These types of AI include advanced chat-bots that could pass the Turing Test,
fooling a person into believing the AI was a human being. While advanced and impressive,
these AI are not self-aware.

4. Self-aware AI: as the name suggests, become sentient and aware of their own existence.
Still in the realm of science fiction, some experts believe that an AI will never become
conscious or "alive".

PRESENT DAY USE OF AI

AI is used extensively across a range of applications today, with varying levels of

sophistication. Recommendation algorithms that suggest what you might like next are
popular AI implementations, as are chatbots that appear on websites or in the form of smart
speakers (e.g., Alexa or Siri). AI is used to make predictions in terms of weather and financial
forecasting, to streamline production processes, and to cut down on various forms of
redundant cognitive labor (e.g., tax accounting or editing). AI is also used to play games,
operate autonomous vehicles, process language, and much, much, more.

AI AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being used in the field of early childhood
education (ECE) to enhance learning and development among young children. AI and early
childhood education are already inextricably linked, despite the fact that many people are
unaware of it. In reality, they have a dynamic relationship that is improving all the time.
Researchers were employing AI to investigate the processes of childhood learning, according
to Scientific American in 2017. With this information, it became easier to develop AI that
might, in some ways, operate as educators.

However, research had been using AI in education long before this date. Robotic tutors could
boost exam results when they engaged students via embedded social interactions, according
to a study presented at the 2013 International Conference on Humanoid Robots. When it
comes to instructing youngsters, robots with AI are just as capable — if not more so — than
people.

ADVANTAGE OF AI IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Students can receive more personalized tutoring

It might be difficult to ensure that your child understands the topics taught in the class
when they are falling behind. Our classrooms are too big, and kids get lost in the mix. Parents
may find it difficult to educate their children on the new standards expected of them,
especially because they are so far removed from their own primary school days. With crowd-
sourced instruction from professionals and more skilled students, AI can fill in the gaps.
Without losing their grades or achievements, students can avoid the shame and
embarrassment of asking for excessive help in front of their colleagues. Using these
electronic programmes, tutoring is more accessible and affordable than ever before.

The computer determines the ideal speed

For years, qualified educators have realized that no one-size-fits-all technique to teaching a
lesson exists. It's practically hard to accommodate every possible learning type while
maintaining the ideal pace in each class. Fast learners must remain engaged, while slow
learners must not fall behind. The ideal pace is becoming increasingly elusive as the number
of pupils grows. AI can now assist in determining the ideal pace for each student. Students
can progress at their own pace thanks to the tailored curriculum. Because elementary-aged
students' maturity levels and attention spans vary so widely, this provides a great chance for
children to pursue academics at their own pace. They do not find learning to be
overwhelming or frustrating.

Edtech use in elementary school may be linked to college success

For decades, we've understood that early childhood education instills in our children the
abilities they'll need to succeed in the future. If they don't fully know the courses today,
those academic flaws would come back to bother them during their university years.
According to research, utilizing robotics to teach early childhood math classes provides a
hands-on tool that aids children's understanding of mathematical concepts. These years can
yield big returns in the future when fewer university-bound youngsters need to sign up for
remedial college math courses. On the surface, it appears that integrating technology into
elementary school classrooms was done too soon. This critical transition, on the other hand,
may usher in a revolutionary shift that affects the academic future of the next generation.
Consider the numerous lifelong benefits that a more tailored and effective primary school
education may provide for students.

Develop an interest in STEM

The STEM industry has completely revolutionized the way the world functions in the past
couple of decades. Everything is now easier, faster, and a lot more efficient than it was ever
before. All credit goes to STEM!. Introducing Artificial intelligence in education helps students
develop an aptitude for STEM, which helps them become open-minded curious adults who
are always on the brink of innovation. Their inventions might just change the world someday.
Introduce your kids to concepts like robotics, programming, IoT, and AI in education so that
they can be ready for the future.

Examples of AI technology in early childhood education

Muse, a mobile app powered by AI, helps parents develop traits to predict better life
outcomes like emotional intelligence, self-control, and persistence for their child. Muse
concentrates on aiding parents by focusing on questions to decide on what to focus on and
develop different traits while child-rearing.

Moreover, Bosco, another AI-run mobile app that models a child’s behavioral profile helps
parents in identifying and protecting a child from digital threats. This is especially helpful for
parents who find it tough to keep up with the child’s activities on the internet or online
space. Bosco provides parents with another set of “eyes and ears” to aid them with
observation of their child’s digital device usage. Taking into consideration factors like age,
gender, and culture, the AI technology in Bosco sets up an expected online behavior profile
according to the child’s history of usage and individual circumstances. The aim of this app is
to detect potential red flag situations and hopefully shield the child from any threats online.

Dangers of artificial intelligence in early childhood education

That being said, vigilance and prudence are still necessary when it comes to parenting and
childhood education in a digital world. There are several valid concerns around technology
reliability and privacy. For example, the data collected by artificial intelligence systems could
be obtained by hackers or malicious agents to threaten the child’s safety.
Furthermore, while AI can improve the educational experience, they must not be used as a
substitute for personal human interaction. An assumption here is the use of AI could
significantly reduce human interaction in early childhood education. Thus if your child relies
too much on artificial intelligence for learning and growth, he or she could miss out on the
tangible social benefits of actual human interaction -such as interaction with parents,
teachers and friends.

Although talk has been abuzz about the field of artificial empathy, the latter cannot be a
substitute for real human connection. Besides, your child cannot learn morals and virtues
from artificial intelligence gadgets, devices, and machines. Instead, human educators like
parents at home and teachers in school offer students opportunities to hone social skills such
as empathy and communication skills. These social skills cannot be mastered simply by
relying on artificial intelligence. Also, caution has to be exercised that students continue to
exercise their intellect and thinking even as they are in contact with digital devices promoting
artificial intelligence.

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AI in Early Childhood Education - All You Need To Know. www.analysticssteps.com