Researchers warn AI could harm children's cognition and emotions as company pushes it into schools.
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| Source: Techmeme | Original article
Google researchers warn AI could harm children's cognition and emotions as the firm pushes the technology into schools, prompting backlash over falling test scores.
Google’s own researchers have raised alarms over the company’s push to embed its Gemini‑powered AI tools in classrooms, warning that the technology could inflict cognitive and emotional harm on children. Internal documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal reveal concerns that constant interaction with AI may foster dependence, dull critical thinking and even depress test‑score performance. The findings come as Google accelerates the rollout of its AI‑enhanced search and tutoring products across K‑12 schools.
The issue has ignited a broader backlash. A July 15 report from the Youth AI Safety Institute, a partnership between Common Sense Media and independent researchers, labelled Google’s AI‑driven search “unacceptable risk” for minors. The assessment highlighted the system’s failure to flag warning signs of eating disorders, suicidal ideation and other mental‑health red flags, underscoring the potential for real‑world harm beyond academic outcomes.
Former head of Google’s trust and safety team added his voice to the criticism, urging a slowdown in AI development and warning that the industry is repeating mistakes made in the social‑media era. The combination of internal dissent and external scrutiny puts pressure on Alphabet to reassess how its models are deployed in educational settings.
What to watch next: Google is expected to issue a formal response to the internal concerns and the Youth AI Safety Institute’s report. Regulators, already probing major AI firms, may extend scrutiny to the company’s school‑focused products. Stakeholders will be looking for concrete policy changes, clearer safety guidelines for child users, and any adjustments to the rollout schedule of Gemini‑based tools in classrooms. The unfolding debate could shape the future of AI in education across the Nordics and beyond.
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