Parents need AI literacy to help schools teach it responsibly
Only 35% of parents have discussed artificial intelligence with their children, despite 80% expressing concerns about its harmful effects. That gap matters. When parents understand how AI works and what it can't do, they're better equipped to advocate for quality computer science education in schools and guide their kids through these technologies safely.
The problem is structural. Only about half of California's public schools offer computer science courses, and previous efforts to expand access failed because the state didn't fund them. Until that changes, parents need to know what their children should be learning-and what they should be learning about.
What students need to understand about AI
Computer science education should go beyond typing and coding. It should teach students to think critically about the systems they use daily, including AI.
That means understanding AI's real limitations:
- Bias and inaccuracy: AI systems reflect the data fed into them. Flawed input produces flawed output, often perpetuating existing societal prejudices with serious human consequences.
- Ethics: AI enables cyberbullying, generates fake images used in elections, and uses artists' work without consent or compensation.
- Data privacy: Personal information shared with AI chatbots may be stored and used to train other systems without users' knowledge.
- Environmental cost: Data centers powering AI consume enormous amounts of energy and water, with global environmental consequences.
What parents can do now
Start conversations. Research shows that simply talking with children about computer science and current events builds critical thinking skills. Parents don't need to be experts-asking the right questions works.
Encourage enrollment in computer science classes. Many students, particularly girls, English learners, and students of color, avoid these courses because they don't see themselves in the field. Sharing examples of successful computer scientists from diverse backgrounds helps.
Advocate at the school level. When parents understand what quality computer science and AI education looks like, they can push for access to well-trained teachers and dedicated resources.
What's changing in standards
The Computer Science Teachers Association is releasing updated standards that include specific AI competencies. The goal: students learn not just how to use AI, but how it works, how it connects to broader computer science concepts, and how it affects society.
This matters because the students learning these lessons today will lead tomorrow. Building a generation that understands both the potential and the pitfalls of AI-and thinks critically about its use-requires informed parents working alongside schools.
For educators looking to implement these concepts, the AI Learning Path for Teachers offers structured training on how to teach AI responsibly. Broader resources on AI for Education cover classroom applications and teacher preparation programs designed to support this work.
Your membership also unlocks:
