Bilkisu Abdullahi-Yahuza
The Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) and the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) has called on governments at all levels and stakeholders in educational institutions to join forces in ensuring AI-driven early childhood educational tools development.
A statement by Director, Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) Tricia Young and Director International Step by Step Association (ISSA) Liana Ghent to mark the International Day of Education said research has it that quality early childhood interventions can mitigate the effects of trauma and provide a foundation for lifelong learning. However, concerns about data privacy, screen time, and the importance of human connection must be addressed.
The statement explained that by working together, the people could leverage on AI to provide quality education to children in humanitarian settings and help them build a brighter future, emphasized the need for human connection in education, especially in humanitarian contexts.
According to the statement over 473 million children living in conflict zones and 47.2 million displaced due to conflict and violence. The organizations are calling on governments, NGOs, tech companies, and educational institutions to join forces to develop and deploy AI-driven educational tools that prioritize human connection.
It suggested harmonious partnerships across sectors to develop and deploy AI-driven educational tools that are accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant with a focus on human connection and encourage expansion of learning beyond the screen with support from adults.
Ensure that the necessary technological infrastructure is in place to support AI initiatives, including reliable internet access and digital devices robust frameworks to protect the privacy and security of children’s data, ensuring that AI applications are used ethically and responsibly.
It also advised them to Provide training and resources for educators to effectively integrate AI tools into their teaching practices, enhancing their ability to support students in diverse and challenging environments.
The statement urges continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of AI in education, ensuring that it meets the needs of children and contributes to their holistic development.
By committing these actions, we can leverage AI to provide quality education to children in humanitarian settings, helping them to overcome the barriers they face and build a brighter future.
This year’s theme, “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation, resonates deeply with our vision of a world where families caught up in crisis are able to rebuild resilience and foster the wellbeing and development of their young children.
The International Day of Education is celebrated on January 24 annually.
Moving Minds Alliance is a global advocacy impact alliance of 40 organisations collaborating to improve care and support for young children and their caregivers in emergencies, displacement, and crises. We work to scale up the financing, policies, and leadership needed to effectively support children 0-8 years in humanitarian settings.
International Step by Step Association is a leading international early childhood learning community and dynamic member association, powered by Europe’s and Central Asia’s foremost early childhood experts.
