Safe AI for Kids? Google is set to introduce Gemini with Family Link integration

Kids under 13 will soon be able to use Google Gemini under parental control via Family Link.

Illustration: Tech Bird

Hey parents, exciting news is on the horizon! Get your children ready to explore a new realm of creativity and learning, powered by the magic of Artificial Intelligence. Google, a major force in the AI landscape, is now planning to extend its innovative Gemini AI to the next generation of users – your kids.

Soon, the tech giant is set to allow children to engage with Gemini, all within the secure boundaries of parental controls. Earlier today, a report from The New York Times highlighted that Google is beginning to notify parents via Family Link, signaling that their children will soon be able to access Gemini on their monitored Android devices.

According to the company, Gemini will be a valuable tool for kids, assisting with homework and even bringing stories to life through engaging interactions. However, a primary concern for parents understandably revolves around data safety. Google assures that children's data will not be used to train its AI models. This naturally leads to the question: if the data isn't used for training, how will the model remain safe and relevant for children's unique needs? While Google indicates safeguards will be in place to prevent Gemini from generating inappropriate content for young users, the specifics of this "wall" are crucial for parental peace of mind.

In the coming days, users under the age of 13 can access Gemini through Family Link, placing the experience firmly under parental supervision. Google has also openly stated that Gemini, like all AI chatbots, is prone to occasional mistakes – a common acknowledgment in the AI world. Various AI chatbots currently grapple with the challenge of generating responses that avoid minor inaccuracies that could alter the intended meaning. As previously mentioned, the commitment not to train on children's data raises questions about how the AI will truly understand and cater safely to a child's world.

This move by Google could also be seen as a strategic step to attract the next generation of internet users and aligns with a potential push from the new US administration for greater integration of educational tools in schools and universities.

Google is proactively urging parents to inform their children that Gemini is not a human and that sharing personal and sensitive information with it is not advisable. This presents a unique challenge for parents – guiding their children to interact with advanced AI as a helpful tool rather than a peer. Google has also promised to keep parents informed about the exact timeline for this introduction.