Schools Take an Age- and Development-Appropriate Approach to AI Use

We thank youth forum letter writer Jin Yuhan for his feedback ("Secondary school students should be restricted from using artificial intelligence", Oct 22).

The Ministry of Education (MOE) recognises that the use of technology must be both age- and development-appropriate, centred on the students' development, and driven by pedagogy and learning needs.

This is why students learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI) from lower primary level, such as its applications in real life, the potential benefits and risks such as the possibility of wrong information being generated. From Primary 4, students are then more prepared to learn to use AI under teacher supervision to evaluate AI responses critically and avoid overreliance on AI. At the secondary level, students are equipped with personal learning devices and would progressively learn with AI independently through structured learning tasks and programmes like Applied Learning Programme and Code for Fun.

AI-enabled tools with appropriate safeguards are also integrated in the Singapore Student Learning Space to allow students to benefit from the personalisation of learning offered by AI, while developing critical thinking skills.

At the same time, through Cyber Wellness lessons in the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum, students learn to discern online information, navigate the online space safely and responsibly, and be positive influences on their peers. Teachers also emphasise cyber ethics, such as the importance of integrity and respecting online materials created by others.

The emergence of AI and other technologies has changed the way we live and work. MOE and schools will continue to help students harness new technological tools, including AI, effectively and meaningfully so as to help our students thrive in the new future.

Mdm Lee Lin Yee
Divisional Director (Educational Technology Division)
Ministry of Education

符合年龄与发展阶段的AI教育

谨答复《联合早报·交流站·青年视角》于10月22日刊登的金钰涵同学投函《应限制中学生使用人工智能》：

我们感谢金同学的反馈。

教育部深知，科技的使用必须符合学生的年龄和发展阶段，以学生的发展为核心，并由教学法和学习需求驱动。

正因如此，学生从小学低年级就开始学习人工智能（AI），例如人工智能在现实生活中的应用，以及可能带来的益处和风险（如生成错误信息的可能性）。从小学四年级开始，学生将更有准备地在教师的监督下，学习使用人工智能，以批判性地评估人工智能的答案，并避免过度依赖人工智能。在中学阶段，学生将配备个人学习设备，并通过结构化的学习任务以及应用学习项目（Applied Learning Programme）和"编码乐"（Code for Fun）等课程，逐步独立地利用人工智能学习。

具备适当安全保障的人工智能工具，也已整合到新加坡学生学习平台（Singapore Student Learning Space）中，让学生能够受益于人工智能提供的个性化学习，同时培养批判性思维能力。

与此同时，通过品格与公民教育（Character and Citizenship Education）课程中的网络健康（Cyber Wellness）课程，学生学习辨别网络信息、安全负责地探索网络空间，并对同伴产生积极影响。教师也强调网络伦理，例如诚信和尊重他人原创网络材料的重要性。

人工智能及其他技术的出现，已改变我们的生活和工作方式。教育部和学校会继续帮助学生，有效且有意义地驾驭包括人工智能在内的新技术工具，以助力学生在新的未来中茁壮成长。

（教育部教育科技司统筹司长李遴瑜）