„Mum, is it true that many adults are afraid of AI?“ - This question is being asked more and more frequently, as the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) is preoccupying people of all ages. In fact, there are different opinions and feelings about AI. Many adults are sceptical or worried, while others recognise the opportunities offered by the technology. In this blog article, I would like to explain why many adults in particular are unsure about AI and how we as parents can deal with this.
Why do children ask: Mum, is it true that many adults are afraid of AI?
Children usually perceive adults„ instincts and emotions without understanding all the connections. That's why they listen carefully and ask honest questions such as “Mum, is it true that many adults are afraid of AI?„ Some of this fear stems from concerns about their jobs or control over data. For example, a mum from a circle of acquaintances reports: “I'm often afraid that AI will make my job redundant. That's why I'm careful with technology." A father says that he feels insecure because he doesn't know exactly how AI will use his personal data.
These uncertainties are understandable because, according to studies, people aged 50 and over in particular feel less confident in dealing with AI, while younger generations are often more confident and curious[1]. Even though 67 % of the population have already come into contact with AI applications such as chatbots or voice assistants, reticence remains high, especially among older adults[6].
Examples of typical parental concerns:
- „What if AI violates my personal privacy?“
- „Can I still keep up with my children when it comes to technology?“
- „Will AI make us humans superfluous at some point?“
Mum, is it true that many adults are afraid of AI? - The different facets of fear
Not every fear of AI is irrational. Rather, it is about concrete fears such as:
- Job losses due to automation, which around a third of Germans fear[4]
- Lack of trust in AI decisions and privacy concerns present in many people[3][1]
- Fear of misinformation or „fake news“ that could be spread automatically by AI[3][5]
Parents often describe how they deal with their fears: One mother reports that she consciously attends courses to become more familiar with AI. Active information gives her security and the opportunity to accompany her children. One father says that he mainly communicates with other parents and talks openly about his worries so that he can better categorise them.
How parents often express their fear of AI:
- „I realise how I lack the knowledge to correctly assess AI.“
- „Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by technical topics.“
- „I don't want to give my children reservations about AI out of fear.“
Impulses for dealing with fears around AI
Parents often ask: How can we reduce our own insecurity and give children a sense of security? Here are some practical tips:
- Get informed: Attend training courses such as kikidz.org, that make the topic of AI easy to understand, especially for parents.
- Enable dialogue: Talk openly with your children about the opportunities and risks of AI and give them space to ask questions.
- Integrate technology in a playful way: Use AI tools together, such as voice assistants or learning programmes, to reduce fear of contact.
One mum says: „Since attending the kikidz training course, I have a better understanding of how AI works. This makes it much easier for me to talk to my children.“ A couple of parents report that they experiment together with their children in workshops - creating curiosity instead of fear.
Mum, is it true that many adults are afraid of AI? - An outlook
This question shows that children observe and reflect on social developments. Many adults do have fears, but they move between scepticism and openness. Education and information are the key to reducing uncertainty and supporting technology in a positive way.
The platform kikidz.org offers excellent training for parents to help them better understand AI. This enables parents to strengthen their role in teaching children how to deal with AI confidently and address fears transparently.
BEST PRACTICE for parents and teachers I have often observed that parents gain more confidence through the dialogue in the kikidz community. They report that it helps them to answer their children's specific questions about AI in an objective way and thus reduce their fears. This open dialogue has a positive effect on the whole family and creates trust in the responsible use of AI.
My analysis
The question „Mum, is it true that many adults are afraid of AI?“ reflects a reality: there are definitely uncertainties about AI in Germany, especially among older generations and people who feel less familiar with the technology. The main fears relate to data protection, job losses and control over information. Nevertheless, interest and awareness of the opportunities offered by AI also predominate. The education of parents and other adults, for example about kikidz.org, is crucial for reducing fears and enabling children to deal with AI confidently.
Further links from the text above:
Is Germany too sceptical about artificial intelligence in the world of work?
AI scepticism particularly high in Germany - fear of fake news
Germany: One in three people are afraid of losing their job
AI use is booming - but the fear of dependence on foreign countries is great
For more information and if you have any questions, please contact Contact us or read more blog posts on the topic Children and artificial intelligence here. Click here for the courses: Children and artificial intelligence courses
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