The Potentials of Artificial Intelligence in Childcare

Written by Aminu Mohammed  

The birth of a child is a source of joy for parents. Early experiences shape behavior, mindset and development of a child, extending into adulthood. Nurturing a child from birth to the age of seven requires meticulous attention, as this period is very fragile. This is necessary to ensure a child's mental wellbeing and physical and emotional development. Childhood experiences shape a child's behavior and impact the mental capacity.

This is why childcare is so important in ensuring that a child grows up to be emotionally stable. The environment and neighborhood in which a child is raised play a significant role in shaping their perception of the world. For example, a child from a less privileged background who grew up in poverty has a different experience to someone from an affluent family.

The modern society provides many opportunities for all to excel in their careers and achieve their personal goals. Simultaneously, it has become extremely challenging for both parents to manage their careers while maintaining balance at home. With both parents under increasing pressure to advance in their careers, childcare has become quite challenging in modern times.

According to a report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on early childhood education and care, around half of children under three in affluent households attend early childhood education and have access to good childcare, compared to children in impoverished households. This indicates that a higher income plays a vital role in improving childcare and ensuring a child's stability during their formative years.

Prospects of artificial intelligence in childcare

Artificial intelligence is transforming childcare and reducing the burden on parents and childcare professionals. Parents are using new technologies and apps to easily monitor their children both online and offline. These tools enable parents to focus on their work without distraction while keeping them informed of any potential dangers to their children.

It is noteworthy that artificial intelligence has recently made it possible for parents to monitor their children's breathing and sleeping patterns. This allows them to monitor their child's body temperature and health conditions. Apart from monitoring a child's safety, AI-powered tools can facilitate learning and mental development.

The impact of artificial intelligence on childcare 

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence can provide support to parents and childcare professionals when it comes to nurturing and raising children. It has also allowed parents to monitor their children's growth and development without neglecting their careers.

Qustodio is an AI-powered app that helps parents monitor their children's device usage to prevent them from viewing inappropriate content. It ensures that children only view age-appropriate content by blocking harmful domains. Thus, the app alerts parents to any potential harm and gives them peace of mind that their child is safe when using a device online.

Qustodio uses a web filtering system and location tracking to manage screen time and ensure the safety of children's online device usage. Qustodio's critical role in children's education cannot be overemphasized, as it is an effective tool for monitoring children online. In addition to its supervisory role, the app also provides data on a child's online activity, giving parents ample opportunity to take necessary action.

The device has proven effective in providing a solution for millions of parents around the world, enabling them to monitor their children's digital activities, especially outside of school hours. The app has also been shown to prevent children from accessing harmful content promoting gambling and violence. Furthermore, the tool enables parents to receive email alerts detailing their child's online activity and behavior, including screen time and browsing history.

Philips Avent is another AI-driven device that helps parents monitor their children's health. The tool is equipped with Sense1Q Sleep technology to help monitor a child's breathing and sleep patterns. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning, e.g., to detect when a baby is crying.

The app, which is equipped with a monitor camera, tracks and examines millions of pixels per second using chest movement to analyze and provide a quick update on the child's sleep and breathing conditions. The app also alerts mothers, especially if the child is in distress requiring immediate intervention.

This tool helps parents avoid distractions and focus on activities that require their attention. This is because the app provides a childcare solution, helping parents to stay connected to their child and relieving them of undue stress.

In addition to this, Talkie AI is an AI-powered chatbot designed to facilitate interactive conversations with children. The tool enables interaction through activities such as games that are geared towards enhancing verbal communication, entertainment and socialization, as well as improving language skills.

Talkie AI has a built-in natural language processing database that ensures proper engagement and emotional support, and is specifically tailored to a child's vocabulary and language level. This ensures empathetic interaction. It is designed to provide information for children in the early stages of verbal communication development.

The device can be used in different languages, enabling people in various countries to access it and encouraging users to develop their verbal skills. The tool is equipped with a wide range of educational materials on various subjects to enhance educational advancement. The chatbot also helps children with their academic work and managing their homework.

A Chinese based company has created a virtual tutoring ai- device Squirrel AI to support children to improve learning. Squirrel AI is powered by artificial intelligence algorithms and an Intelligent Adaptive Learning System (IALS) that assists in identifying knowledge gaps, helps in personalizing lessons for children as well as measures impact so far made.

The device initially carries out a test in order to ascertain a child's strength and weakness before creating a personalized learning pathway. Thus, each subject is broken down into easy points for quick assimilation by learners which included subjects like English, Math, Chemistry, Physics and Chinese language.

Students usually get feedback on the progress so far made using the tool including ascertaining their proficiency levels. It not only facilitates effective learning and training in tandem with a child's aptitude but also carries out evaluation exercises and periodic tests. Squirrel AI is currently being used by over 20 million students in China and is a versatile tool that provides support to learners thereby ensuring effective adaptive learning.

Challenges 

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence has transformed the way people live and communicate in the modern era. However, the main issue is access to such technology, particularly for children from disadvantaged families who cannot afford such devices. This will invariably entrench educational inequality.

Similarly, while artificial intelligence-enabled tools can support students in preparing for tests and examinations, many argue that they cannot replace individual mentorship and lack the ability to enhance critical thinking.

Furthermore, undue reliance on technology rather than physical interaction with peers may prevent children from developing the social skills, empathy, and emotional stability necessary for their overall growth in the real world. There is also the issue of data protection concerning the personal information of children who use technology. There is a risk that such sensitive data may be misused or breached, which could harm the children and their families.

The way forward 

Although artificial intelligence tools can be a boon for busy parents and help children to develop their verbal and communication skills, smart parenting still requires human interaction and emotional intelligence. Parents must endeavor to combine traditional methods of parenting with new technology to ensure best care for and optimal development of their children.  

With heartfelt gratitude, 

MI4People Team