Although elementary school-aged children use and have interest in technologies with integrated Artificial Intelligence applications, they rarely critically investigate the sociopolitical contexts in which people consume and produce AI technology. Without engaging in sociocritical computing, elementary school students will not be prepared to participate ethically in a digitally reliant society and tackle the increasingly discriminatory effects of algorithmic decision-making as they continue their schooling and careers. For examples of how AI applications can harm marginalized population and what advocacy groups are doing about it, visit the Algorithmic Justice League.

Our research investigates the ways that children think about, engage with, and build their own AI applications and how to best design creative learning spaces for exploring AI in ways that matter to children.