I gotta nip something in the bud, ASAP.
But first, today, you’ll discover
I know I’m dropping the ammi.ai ball when multiple Ammis and friends from the community ask why they haven’t seen a newsletter recently.
For the past several weeks, I’ve been taking everything I’ve gleaned from this incredible community and our 200+ AI literacy workshop participants to quietly cultivate a comprehensive AI literacy course.
It’s the culmination of everything AI + Ammi, made by an Ammi + AI, using your incredible Ammi insights/questions/concerns about Ammi-ing + AI, for all Ammis and friends who want to learn about AI.
But for some reason, I’ve been scared to share it. According to ChatGPT, it’s because I fear judgment, fear I will mess up the launch, and am overwhelmed with all the options to properly put this out in the world, even though ChatGPT has laid out a ‘failproof launch plan’ each of the dozen+ times I asked.
But there’s one thing I’m not fearful or unsure about: this is the only comprehensive AI literacy course made with mothers in mind. And, if I may say so myself, it’s delightful.
As of this Monday, the course exists! It’s live. And it’s here to stay. I plan to continually tend and prune it as the AI world evolves.
It’s called AI Literacy for Busy Moms, and it follows a homegrown framework especially for Ammis: the AI Literacy Tree.
You can learn all about the framework and the course in the first chapter of the course, 🌱 Seeds, which is available for free, for all, forever. I’ll share more about the course in the coming weeks and months. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected] or reply to this email. And make sure to read this email in full for a hidden offer 🕵♀️
Phew. Sorry to ChatGPT - this wasn’t one of the twelve foolproof launch plans it prescribed - but it felt good to me 🙂
Okie dokie, now on to our regularly scheduled programming!
🌿 Let’s grow!
Apple Sauce
The ‘sauce’ - or overview - on AI tools you may find useful.
Long docs, meet your match
Today’s apple: Notebook LM
I've shared Notebook LM in the newsletter before, but this past week, I had a consultation with an Ammi entrepreneur who said that they spend a significant amount of time reading through lengthy documents to find the specific information they need for their business operations. They have to do this semi-regularly, and it's such a drain on their time and energies.
I showed them Notebook LM, where you can upload specific documents, articles, PDFs, and ask questions specifically about those sources. It was a game-changer for them. It's also how I pulled the relevant insights from the study that I'm sharing with you today.
So if you fall into the bucket of someone who has to parse through documentation or even wants to use it as a study buddy, this is a useful tool.
You can also turn insights from the documents that you upload into a podcast and have a conversation with the AI podcast hosts. It's a little much for me, not quite my jam, but if it's yours, then there you have it. 🙂
⚠️ Ammis and friends! Always check privacy policies and verify any AI-generated health, safety, or education advice with trusted human experts. Use AI as a helper, not a replacement for your invaluable Ammi intelligence and judgment!
Planting the Seed
Explore AI topics and headlines in simple language.
8 insights for parenting in the age of AI
Findings from new research, ‘Understanding the Impacts of Generative AI on Children’
A few months ago, I shared a post about the Children’s Manifesto for the Future of AI, written by the kids at the first-ever Children’s AI Summit hosted by The Alan Turing Institute. I reference this document all the time when forming my opinions or thoughts about anything AI. We have to listen to the children.
This past month, the Alan Turing Institute released a major new study, Understanding the Impacts of Generative AI Use on Children, and this time, they included parents in the conversation. The research surveyed over 780 children aged 8–12, along with 1,001 parents and teachers, and included in-depth workshops with primary schoolers in the UK.
Today, I want to share seven research-backed insights that can help guide Ammis like us, wondering how to pursue a healthy future with AI for our families.
1. You’re the tech influencer of your home
Our kids take emotional cues from us, and that includes how we feel about technology.
Among children using generative AI who report the highest levels of excitement, 93% have parents who report feeling positively about their children's use of the technology.
Among children who found generative AI scary or confusing, 61% still had parents who felt positively about their use, while 35% had parents who felt negatively
Parents who used generative AI themselves were four times more likely to have a positive attitude towards their children using it.
🌿 Your attitude and usage of AI will impact your child’s.
2. Conversations really matter
The study revealed a direct link between discussing AI with children and their understanding and perception of it.
However, only one in three kids had ever had an adult explain AI to them.
Among kids who could accurately define AI, 73% had talked to an adult about it.
Even just a short, age-appropriate conversation can build confidence and reduce anxiety. And when those conversations come from a trusted adult, like a parent, it matters even more.
🌿 If you’re not talking to your child about AI, someone (or something, a la an AI chatbot) else might.
3. Kids are already using AI…and often
This isn’t just a teen thing. 22% of children aged 8–12 are already using generative AI, and many are using it regularly.
Top tools?
• ChatGPT (58%)
• Gemini (33%)
• My AI by Snapchat (27%)
Top uses?
• Making fun images (43%)
• Learning new things (43%)
• Playing or experimenting (40%)
• Getting help with homework (37%)
🌿 AI is becoming part of their learning, play, and creative expression.
4. Gender influences how AI is used by both kids and teachers
Gender plays a role not just in whether generative AI is used, but how confidently it’s used as well.
Among children:
More girls (24%) reported using generative AI than boys (19%).
However, boys were more likely to use ChatGPT (73%), while girls preferred Gemini (38%) and My AI on Snapchat (32%).
Awareness levels were similar across genders, suggesting that access and exposure may not be as varied; however, preferences and tool familiarity may differ.
Among teachers, the gender gap widens:
81% of male teachers reported using generative AI in their work, compared to 61% of female teachers.
Male teachers also reported greater confidence, higher perceived productivity, and more positive views on AI in education.
They were more likely to believe that AI can improve grading fairness (42% vs. 27%) and support student creativity (54% vs. 40%).
🌿 These differences highlight the importance of closing not only the access gap but also the confidence and comfort gap when it comes to AI use across genders.
5. The risks are very real
While many parents are open to AI, most are deeply concerned for good reason.
Here’s what parents in the study said they’re most worried about:
• Exposure to inappropriate content (82%)
• Inaccurate or misleading information (77%)
• Kids trusting AI too easily (76%)
• Children sharing personal information (73%)
And the research backed those concerns. In classroom workshops, kids often stumbled into unsafe or inappropriate outputs, even from innocent-sounding prompts like “make a crazy image.”
They also noticed something else: bias. Many children of color said AI-generated images didn’t reflect their identities.
🌿 AI is not a neutral tool, and kids need adults to help them navigate its limitations.
6. AI can support learning, especially for kids who need it most
Children with learning differences are more likely to use AI to express themselves, get emotional support, or feel socially connected.
• 53% of kids with additional learning needs said they use AI to say things they can’t otherwise express, versus 20% of students without additional learning needs
• 64% of teachers said they believe generative AI can be a helpful learning tool for these students
Kids in the workshops even suggested ways AI could help classmates who struggle with writing or communication.
🌿 With the right guardrails, AI can be an incredible support, especially for neurodiverse kids or those who need alternative ways to express themselves.
7. Screens can’t replace markers and clay
Even when digital tools were available, kids in the study often preferred traditional materials for creative tasks.
In fact, over half chose markers, paints, or plasticine over digital tools when asked to make posters or tell a story. They said it felt more satisfying and more theirs.
I especially loved their quotes:
🎨 "I like colouring and sticking things on myself, I did not like using AI."
🎨 "I like to feel the droplets of paint on my artwork. AI is just 2D, you can't feel it."
🎨 "I like doing art a bit more. I prefer doing things physically, I don’t want to use a laptop."
🌿 Kids still crave tactile, self-directed play. AI is optional, not mandatory. We only need to use it where it’s useful and/or wanted!
8. They’re already thinking about the environment
Here’s something that might surprise you: Kids in the workshops were deeply concerned about AI’s environmental footprint.
They talked about things like:
• The water needed to cool AI servers (some cited 500ml per ChatGPT chat)
• The energy required to generate one image (compared to a full phone charge)
Some even said using AI made them feel guilty, and suggested solutions like daily usage limits or energy-use warnings.
🌿 Our kids are already thinking critically about AI’s role in the world. As their parents, we can amplify their thoughts and concerns.
The Bottom Line:
Whether we like it or not, AI is already shaping our children’s world, from how they learn, to how they play, to how they think about the future. We don’t have to be experts to support them. They just want us to join the AI conversation; for us to be aware, understand, and guide them.
But how do we get there? This is the question I’ve been getting for the last 1.5 years of ammi.ai - how do we become AI literate enough to guide ourselves and our kids? There’s an overwhelming amount to know. This is exactly why I created the course.
We cover:
The mindset to approach your AI literacy journey (don’t worry, it’s not ‘YOU HAVE TO LOVE AI! AI IS THE BEST!’)
The fundamental understanding of what AI is, how it works, and how to evaluate AI tools and tech
How to evaluate and navigate any AI topic - AI + education, AI + misinformation, AI + environment - in a holistic way that centers your family
How to effectively, enjoyably, and efficiently collaborate with AI to amplify your abilities and skills, not replace them
The frameworks and tools I’ve personally found most ‘fruitful’ to experience the benefits of AI and weed out the harms
And the lessons are released on a ‘drip schedule’, a few lessons every few days, so you’re not overwhelmed with a bunch all at once! I know what it’s like to be a busy mom 🙂
If you’re ready to confidently navigate the AI age, use code 100AMMI for $100 off the course*, and start growing your AI Literacy Tree, from roots to fruits 🌳
*Coupon offer ends 6/25. Limited quantity available.
Fruitful Harvest
Fresh AI picks from the community garden.
🍒 AI-powered travel planning. I know many Ammis and friends are planning to travel in the coming weeks and months, thanks to summer break and other factors. Here's an AI-powered travel planning guide I developed last year with our friends at Beautiful Brown Adventures. It literally can help you with all parts of the travel process. Check it out!
🍇 An AI podcast for moms? A dream come true! Our friend Sarah Dooley of AI-Empowered Mom has started a new podcast and I was honored to join her as her first guest. Now her podcast is something I look forward to listening to on my evening strolls every week.
🍉 The free Future of AI course: A recent 6-hour flight delay. Kids are snoozing (miracle???). I finally got to take a short, free course I’d bookmarked ages ago, called "The Future of AI" by Blue Dot Impact. It’s all about what happens when AI surpasses human intelligence, the good, the not-so-good, and what we can do about it!
Cultivating Conversation
Your insights nourish our garden.
💬 Today’s Question:
What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to AI and parenting?
Thanks for spending a few of your precious, precious minutes with us.
How did you like today's newsletter?
See y’all soon,
Ruqaiya
Ammi by day, Ammi by night
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