AI Exposure in Schools Essential to Prepare Younger Generation for the Future

SHAH ALAM: Introducing artificial intelligence (AI) at the school level is essential to ensure that the younger generation can keep pace with technological advancements while equipping them with the digital skills needed to face future challenges.

A survey conducted by Media Selangor found that parents welcomed the proposal to introduce AI education into the school curriculum but believed that teaching methods should be tailored to pupils’ ages and abilities.

Information technology (IT) expert Aman Che Sof said introducing AI education was a positive step, given the technology’s increasingly widespread use and its expected importance in everyday life in the future.

He said Malaysia needed to begin exposing pupils to AI, although the initiative appeared somewhat late compared with developed countries such as China, which had made greater progress in adopting the technology.

“I think this is a very good approach because the world is moving towards AI, and children need to be exposed to it from an early age. For example, developed countries such as China are already ahead.

“Children are already using AI, and I personally subscribe to AI services for their use. Therefore, I fully support introducing AI at an early stage because primary school pupils still do not fully understand this technology,” he said.

Meanwhile, mother of four Maisyurah Husin believed that AI education could help pupils access information and generate ideas more easily, in line with the growing technological proficiency of today’s children.

However, she felt that AI education would be more suitable for upper primary pupils, particularly those in Years Four to Six, rather than Year One pupils.

She also emphasised the importance of guiding children to use the technology correctly and responsibly.

“If AI is taught in schools, I think it would be better, but children must learn to use it properly and not misuse it. From my experience, I have seen my child using AI to generate ideas for school projects,” she said.

She also cautioned against pupils becoming overly dependent on AI to the extent that they neglect reading, a habit she believes is becoming less common among children.

Meanwhile, Nik Ismail said basic exposure to AI and information technology was important to ensure that the younger generation would not be left behind by technological advancements but could instead adapt to ongoing changes.

“As a parent, I believe we are now living in a world of technology and multimedia. Therefore, children need to learn the fundamentals of multimedia from their school years,” he said.

He also believed Selangor had the potential to serve as an example for other states in introducing AI education, as the technology could be utilised to facilitate teaching and learning processes.

For the record, primary school pupils will begin learning the fundamentals of AI through digital technology subjects under the new school curriculum starting in 2027, while AI education will also be strengthened through related subjects at the secondary school level.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said the introduction of basic AI education aims to train pupils to verify facts, evaluate questionable answers and use technology critically, safely and ethically.

As of this year, a total of 329,414 teachers have received AI literacy training in preparation for the wider adoption of the technology in schools.

The training will continue in phases to strengthen educators’ proficiency in AI-related skills.

MEDIA SELANGOR