Learn About Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI (artificial intelligence) is now part of everyday life, from chatbots and image tools to filters, music apps and virtual companions. Our tamariki and rangatahi are likely to use it, sometimes without realising. Talking early about how AI works, it’s uses, and it’s limitations, can help your whānau build confidence to use it safely and thoughtfully.
In a nutshell
AI stands for artificial intelligence and in simple terms this is technology that can do tasks that usually need human thinking, like answering questions, writing stories, drawing pictures, or chatting with people.
There are a few main types of AI:
- Everyday AI technology like filters, recommendations or voice assistants, that quietly help apps run smoother.
- Generative AI tools create text, pictures, or videos based on instructions you give.
- AI companions or chatbots that hold long conversations and try to sound like friends.
In Aotearoa, young people might use AI to get ideas for art, schoolwork, jokes, or just for fun. The key is helping them understand that AI can be helpful, but it doesn’t always get things right.
There are also age limits to consider, with many AI tools requiring a minimum age of 13, meaning that the tools and technology are not suitable for anyone under that age or maturity.
5-minute whānau safety check
- We’ve talked about what AI is and how it works
- We’ve agreed to try new AI tools together first
- We know not to share personal information (name, address, school, photos) with AI chatbots or image tools
- We’ve checked what data each AI tool collects and stores
- My child knows they can ask me if an AI gives a strange or uncomfortable reply
What to expect
If your child is experimenting with AI you might notice them
- Testing chatbots or image generators “for fun”
- Using AI to help with homework, games or art
- Talking about “AI friends” or apps that send personal messages
- Sharing AI-made pictures or jokes
- Believing what AI says without double-checking it
If your child starts trusting an AI’s answers without thinking critically, using it instead of learning, or chatting privately with an AI companion for emotional support, it’s a good time for kōrero.
What's the up-side?
AI can offer many opportunities and benefits
Curiosity and learning
AI makes it easy to explore new ideas or get help explaining tricky school subjects or difficult concepts, when it’s used thoughtfully.
Creativity
Rangatahi can use AI to generate story ideas, music, digital art or short videos. It can be a fun starting point for imagination and design.
Everyday convenience
AI shows up in daily tools, like grammar correction tools, spelling suggestions, filters, maps, even playlists. It can save time and make life smoother.
Confidence and independence
When used safely, AI can give young people confidence to explore questions and express their ideas, with support from trusted adults.
It gives you ideas, but you still have to make them yours
Youth Participant
No Single Online Experience – Youth Roadshow Report 2025
What's the flip-side?
AI can be exciting and useful, but it also comes with challenges. Here’s what to keep in mind
AI can get things wrong
AI sometimes “hallucinates” meaning it confidently gives false information.
It may reflect bias or stereotypes
Because AI learns from people’s data, it can accidentally repeat unfair ideas or biased language.
Privacy and personal data
AI tools often store what’s typed or uploaded. This can include personal details or photos.
Emotional attachment to AI companions
Some AI “friend” or “partner” apps sound kind and human but can give unreliable, unsafe or manipulative advice.
Misuse of AI-made content
People can use AI to make fake images, voices, or videos that look real but that can be harmful (sometimes called deepfakes).
Over-reliance on AI
It’s tempting to let AI do all the thinking, but this can slow learning and creativity.
Safety Check
Use the settings
- Use family or supervised accounts for younger users
- Check app permissions and turn off location, camera, or contact sharing
- Review data policies before signing up for new AI tools
- Disable “public sharing” or “train from your data” options where possible
Teach critical thinking
Look up one AI answer together using a reliable source. Question the answer and the information, and assess whether the AI was correct or telling the whole picture. Consider whether the answer might be one=sided and talk about what other views, facts or perspectives might be left out.
Learn about privacy
Review an AI app’s privacy settings and privacy statement together. Does anything surprise you about how the tool uses your data? Talk about the importance of never share real names, locations, or images of friends and whānau with AI chatbots or image tools.
Practice spotting AI-generated content
AI technology is evolving rapidly and can be hard to recognise online what's real and what is AI generated, and thinking critically and questioning what you see online is an important skill. Use some of the resources in the Digital Guardian Guide to practice spotting AI content together.
Top Tips
Click on each block to learn more about how you can support your whānau to be work with AI tools safely and responsibly.
Normalise conversations about AI and online life
- "Do you know anyone using AI? What are they using it for?"
- "I'm curious about AI and learning more about it - what do you know? Is it something you and your friends are using?"
- “What’s the coolest or weirdest thing you’ve seen AI do?”
- “Have you noticed times when it’s wrong or confusing?”
Take a look around the home, the devices and tech you use, websites you visit and services you pay for and talk about how AI might be playing a part (for example, playing music on demand by asking a smart speaker).
Try AI together and ask it to make a haiku about your whānau, or an image of a kiwi in space. Laugh about its mistakes to show that learning safely can be fun.
Compare your own answers to AI’s.
- “Whose version do you like more and why?”
- “What did the AI miss out that we would’ve included?
- “What did the AI add, that we hadn’t thought of?”
- “What might happen if we ask the AI the same question in a slightly different way?”
- Encourage curiosity but also critical thinking
- Learn about the limitations of Generative AI (bias, hallucinations) and the importance of fact checking together.
- Understand if and how AI is used for school, and what the school policies are for its use with school work.
- Discuss and agree on how to get help if something feels off.
Need help right now?
If you would like any advice or support about keeping your whānau safe online Netsafe can help.
Contact the helpline for free, confidential and non-judgemental advice and support.
