What do parents and students say about the proposal to teach and learn AI from grade 1?
Digital classroom at a primary school in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: MY DUNG
Recently, Mr. Truong Gia Binh - Chairman of the Board of Directors of FPT Corporation - proposed the idea of introducing artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching for students from grade 1 with the hope that Vietnam will soon become a nation of artificial intelligence. This proposal received much attention from students and parents in Ho Chi Minh City and created heated discussions on social networks.
Speaking with Tuoi Tre, Ms. Dinh Thi Thuy, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, a parent with a child in primary school, said that in the context of the whole world being interested in AI and the extensive applications of artificial intelligence in life, she strongly supports the introduction of AI into teaching in primary schools from grade 1.
"I support popularizing AI from grade 1. Let children get acquainted with new things that the world will need in their time," said Ms. Thuy.
However, many parents think that learning AI from grade 1 is too early.
"Not to mention the objective factors to make it convenient to implement AI learning in schools or not. I still think that learning AI from grade 1 is too early for students.
"To learn how to apply AI in life, students must have basic knowledge of information technology and they must know how to use computers, phones or iPads. What do first graders know about these things? It is unreasonable to suggest learning AI from first grade" - Mr. Nguyen, a parent who is an IT engineer, told Tuoi Tre.
Mr. Nguyen added that not to mention the impact of primary school students using phones, computers... on their health. "It is good for students to have early access to AI, but how to learn scientifically and effectively is a matter that needs to be discussed" - Mr. Nguyen informed.
According to Ms. Tu - a parent whose child is studying IT at a famous specialized high school in Ho Chi Minh City, her child started studying IT in grade 6 and has now made remarkable progress as well as a special love for IT.
"I think every student has their own talents and interests. In grade 6, students will know what they like after studying computer science, and they also have a lot of social knowledge to want to apply AI in their daily lives.
This is also the time to start new subjects, giving students the opportunity to develop skills and career orientation naturally. This is really the right age, not from grade 1," Ms. Tu shared.
Avoiding student dependence and abuse of AI is a major concern
Speaking with Tuoi Tre, Mr. Do Tran Binh Minh - General Director of AI Education (authorized partner of Google Education in Vietnam) - shared: AI Education has joined global educators in the TeachAI initiative (established by the World Economic Forum).
They have done a lot of discussions and research related to the age of AI experience and there are many different and quite cautious views on this new issue. For example, Google's artificial intelligence application Gemini clearly stipulates the minimum age of use is 13 years old.
The initiative is also proposing a common global policy on AI in education, where issues of ethics, misuse and dependency on students are of great concern.
Currently, AI Education is collaborating with Saigon University to develop and pilot an AI program for students from grade 3. This program helps students become familiar with the concepts of AI, data, and more importantly, form a sense of using AI safely and responsibly from a very early age.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/de-xuat-de-hoc-sinh-hoc-ai-tu-lop-1-phu-huynh-nguoi-khoai-nguoi-khong-20250211193216793.htm
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