As I See It: Japanese society needs to reach consensus on how children should use AI

Japan's national curriculum guidelines have been finalized, with a major focus on enhancing information literacy in the digital age. The new guidelines, to be implemented in the 2030 school year or later, include additional guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools. The government must build a consensus on AI use among schools, parents, and local communities to ensure responsible implementation.

AI is referenced in every subject, with examples including AI conversation partners for English practice and AI drills that provide tailored math and arithmetic exercises. Students will learn to use AI effectively while maintaining independence and critical thinking skills. Concerns about AI include cognitive offloading and AI-generated hallucinations that present false information as true.

Similar experiments worldwide have shown mixed results regarding AI use and student performance. While AI use for summarizing information and preliminary research may lower scores, teaching AI literacy alongside its use can improve performance. A university student in Tokyo expresses concern about using AI for class reports and job applications, feeling pressured to do so to compete academically.

At a Central Council for Education committee, a member emphasizes that teachers and students, not AI, must retain control over the technology. The draft revision also addresses AI use in subjects such as Japanese language and the arts, with the Ministry of Education planning further revisions to ensure AI is used responsibly in educational settings, especially as AI-generated fake content becomes more prevalent in society.