60 Percent Children in Major Indian Cities Use GenAI Regularly, Reveals a Gateway Consulting Report

New Delhi, Wednesday 21 August 2024: Gateway Consulting, a leading public policy research firm, today released a research report titled ‘Enhancing Children’s Learning and Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of Generative AI’. The report provided a comprehensive analysis on the use of Generative AI (GenAI) among children and offered recommendations for parents and educators on how they can ensure responsible use of GenAI by children for their learning needs.

The report by Gateway Consulting presented key findings regarding children’s use of GenAI tools. As per a survey conducted amongst 1,040 parents across major urban centers such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad, Majority of parents (77 percent) said their children use GenAI for educational purposes, while 20 percent used it for personal interests, and 2 percent used it for social-emotional support and life skills. However, parental views on GenAI’s potential to enhance critical thinking were mixed, with 37 percent acknowledging its benefits, 26 percent being sceptical, and 37 percent remaining neutral. Notably, even though the survey was conducted amongst educated target audiences from urban centers, it emerged that 61 percent parents admitted to not guiding their children on responsible GenAI use.

Tushar Gandhi, Founder of Gateway Consulting, said, “Our research reveals both the immense potential and the challenges posed by GenAI for children’s learning and critical thinking. While GenAI can support children in meeting diverse learning goals, they must be guided on how to use these tools responsibly and develop their independent critical thinking skills. Our report aims to serve as a ready reckoner guide for educators and parents by providing them with actionable recommendations that can aid the responsible integration of GenAI in children’s lives.”

The launch of the report was followed by a panel discussion comprising industry experts such as Mr. Rakesh Maheshwari, Former MeitY official; Ms. Shiva Kanwar, Fellow, ICRIER; Ms. Sneha Sood, Senior Project Lead, EdTech, Central Square Foundation; Ms. Sukhna Sawhney, Lead, Early Childhood Education, Rocket Learning; and, Ms. Garima Rathore, Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Microsoft.

The report also highlighted concerns associated with children’s use of GenAI such as hidden bias and discrimination, potential for overreliance and inaccurate information, lack of socio-emotional understanding, age verification and child safety. Acknowledging these challenges, the report offers a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for parents and educators to help children use these tools responsibly and effectively. This guide focuses on three key areas: Understanding GenAI, Educating Children About its Capabilities and Limitations, and Providing Guidance on its Effective Use.

This report marks the first in Gateway Consulting’s series on the impact of GenAI on children’s education and development. Subsequent studies aim to explore the integration of GenAI in educational institutions and its broader implications for the future of learning.