Augmented_Imagination_Exploring_Generative_AI_from_the_Perspectives_of_Young_Learners
Augmented_Imagination_Exploring_Generative_AI_from_the_Perspectives_of_Young_Learners
Pruet Putjorn
Center of Excellence in AI and
Emerging Technologies,
School of Information Technology,
Mae Fah Luang University.
[email protected]
Abstract— Acquiring AI literacy is crucial for empowering capabilities, limitations, and societal implications, enabling
individuals to engage intelligently and responsibly with generative them to navigate the AI-driven world responsibly, make
AI, a technology that is increasingly pervasive in creative domains informed decisions, and actively contribute to the future
and daily life. This innovative tool can create images and content development and utilization of AI [5].
based on natural language descriptions, unlocking a world of
creative possibilities. Recognizing the significance of young The recent rise of generative AI tools, like Dall.E, Stable
learners' interaction with generative AI in today's tech-driven Diffusion, and ChatGPT, has opened up new possibilities for
world, this study explores how it shapes their creativity, problem- individuals to create imaginative stories, images, videos, and
solving, and critical thinking skills. The study involved a user animations. These AI systems, such as Stable Diffusion,
workshop with 15 high school students from Northern Thailand, Dall.E 2, and Midjourney, allow people to utilize the power
utilizing both quantitative and qualitative analyses to assess their of AI in their creative endeavors [6]. In the creative sector,
experience with generative AI in creating creative content. The
workshop was conducted online, providing young learners with
the adoption of AI has been hindered by concerns about
basic knowledge of AI and generative AI. Participants were replicating human creativity and technological limitations.
introduced to three free-to-use applications - Canva for graphic However, a recent survey by Adobe reveals that artists are
design, ChatGPT as an AI chatbot, and Leonardo.AI for increasingly open to using AI as assistants, particularly for
generating production-quality assets for creative projects. The tasks like image search and editing[7]. According to an
findings from the workshop highlighted positive perceptions and Adobe survey across 14 countries, consumers believe
high usability among young learners interacting with generative generative AI will enhance personal creativity (57%),
AI. The insights gained from the study emphasized five key improve customer experiences (72%), and expect responsible
aspects, namely providing inspiration and encouraging creative
usage. Marketing professionals see it as a tool to boost
thinking, enabling iteration and experimentation, promoting
accessibility, fostering collaboration, and facilitating skill
efficiency, personalize experiences, and generate content
development. Understanding generative AI and its responsible use faster. The findings highlight a promising future for
is becoming increasingly important in today's world. By generative AI, emphasizing the importance of brands
embracing generative AI, young learners can explore new avenues utilizing it responsibly to meet customer expectations [8].
of art creation, content generation, and idea expression, thus This acceptance highlights the growing recognition of AI as
fostering digital literacy and equipping them with essential skills a tool that supports and augments human creativity in specific
to navigate an AI-driven future. This research contributes domains rather than replacing it entirely.
valuable insights into the significance of generative AI literacy
among young learners, emphasizing the need to integrate AI
The future creative economy will require youth to have a
education into curricula to prepare students for an AI-dominated
world.
variety of skills and knowledge that can help them adapt to
the changing digital landscape. To achieve this, youth need to
Keywords—Generative AI, AI literacy, HCI, Child AI constantly learn about the latest digital innovations and how
Interaction they can use them effectively. This involves acquiring both
hard skills and soft skills that are relevant for the digital age
I. I NTRODUCTION [3]. Hard skills are the technical skills that enable youth to
The rapid advancements in computing power, abundant interact with digital technologies, such as digital literacy and
data availability, and enhanced machine learning algorithms AI literacy. Digital literacy is the ability to access, evaluate,
have driven significant progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) create, and communicate information using digital devices
[1]. As AI technologies become increasingly integrated into and platforms. AI literacy is the ability to understand, use,
our daily lives, including virtual assistants and real-time and critically evaluate artificial intelligence applications and
search systems, there is a growing interest in educating the systems. Soft skills are the interpersonal and cognitive skills
public about AI [2]. Recognizing the concerns and that enable youth to collaborate, communicate, think
misconceptions surrounding AI, it is crucial to incorporate AI critically, and solve problems in complex and uncertain
education into educational curricula[3,4]. This approach will situations [3,6,9].
provide individuals with a holistic understanding of AI's
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2023 15th International Conference on Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ICITEE)
Zoom Meeting application and lasted for three hours. The After the workshop, a quantitative survey was conducted
workshop aimed to provide basic knowledge of AI and using a questionnaire distributed through a Google Form to
generative AI. Generative AI can synthesize new data such as collect data from the participants. The survey was conducted
images, text, or music. The workshop covered applications using an online questionnaire, which included a combination
that can be used for generating artwork, designing new of questions with predefined answer choices as well as
products, and creating virtual characters. The workshop questions that allowed respondents to provide open-ended
introduced three free-to-use applications including Canva, responses. Before participating in the survey, respondents
ChatGPT, and Leonardo.AI (Fig.1). Canva is a free graphic were provided with an informed consent form that outlined
design tool that lets you create visual materials like flyers, the purpose and procedures of the survey. The survey
posters, presentations, and videos using templates, images, consisted of demographic questions along with five research-
and a drag-and-drop interface. ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that related inquiries specifically aimed at gathering reflections on
uses machine learning algorithms to analyze and understand the utilization of generative AI. Additionally, qualitative
written or spoken language and then generate responses based study was conducted with a focus group online session to
on that input. Leonardo.AI is a platform based on the Stable gather their reflections and perceptions regarding the use of
Diffusion Model that allows users to generate production AI generative applications. The purpose of this session was
quality assets for their creative projects with AI-generated to obtain valuable insights into how users perceive and
speed and style-consistency. Users can create visual assets interact with these applications.
like items, environments, helmets, buildings, and concept art
using pre-trained AI models or train their own. IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Exploring Young Learners' Perceptions and Skills in
Using Generative AI
Fifteen young participants, consisting of 13 boys
(86.7%) and 2 girls (13.3%) aged 16 to 18 years, voluntarily
enrolled in our workshops and completed the questionnaire.
These students attended various schools in Chiang Rai
province. The quantitative analysis revealed that most
learners had a high level of computer experience, with an
average score of 3.60 (SD = .83). Notably, their knowledge
and skills significantly improved after participating in the
workshop (t(14) = 4.836, p < .001), as reflected in a post-
workshop mean of 4.27 (SD = .59), compared to the pre-
workshop mean of 2.87 (SD = 1.30).
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2023 15th International Conference on Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ICITEE)
B. Reflections on the use of generative AI: How can and creative. Like, who would've thought generative AI could
generative AI help learners explore their creativity? do something like that, right?" This potential expands
To explore how learners engage with generative AI creative possibilities, providing learners with new sources of
platforms, an interview and card sorting session were inspiration.
conducted. The card sorting technique [24,25,26], commonly
used in user experience design, helped categorize and gather 2) Enabling Iteration and Experimentation
information from the interviews. This approach allowed for a Learners can quickly and easily explore a variety of
comprehensive overview of reflections specifically related to options and styles. These tools provide the ability to generate
the use of generative AI platforms in generating creative multiple variations of outputs based on different inputs or
content and images. The five findings from this study (Fig.2) prompts. This rapid exploration allows learners to experiment
will provide valuable insights to deepen our understanding of with different creative choices, such as colors, shapes, or
the subject and contribute to its overall comprehension. compositions, and observe how they impact the final result.
Participant 10 said “You won't believe what this AI tool can
do for my iPhone case designs! It's like magic – I can
regenerate different styles and patterns for my mockups in no
time...I can now create endless possibilities for my iPhone
case designs effortlessly!” By offering a wide range of
possibilities, generative AI tools empower users to iterate and
refine their creative work. Learners can try out different
styles, explore various combinations, and make adjustments
until they achieve the desired outcome. This flexibility and
ease of experimentation enable artists and creators to push the
boundaries of their work, discover new artistic directions, and
refine their artistic vision.
3) Promoting Accessibility
Generative AI involves developing user-friendly tools
Fig. 2. Five reflections on the use of generative AI
that cater to learners with diverse backgrounds. Participant 12
said "I'm not a gamer or a computer geek at all, and I had
zero knowledge about AI. But guess what? These AI tools
1) Providing inspiration and encouraging creative were so user-friendly that I got the hang of it in no time! The
thinking. interface was a breeze to navigate, and I quickly learned how
Generative AI tools can help learners generate fresh ideas to create my first image just by using some simple keywords.
and ignite creativity across various domains. By establishing It was like magic!" These tools are designed to be intuitive
connections between different ideas and producing entirely and require minimal technical expertise, making them
new concepts, these tools can help learners input diverse accessible to a wide range of users. By prioritizin g
inputs or prompts, and the AI algorithms will use accessibility, generative AI provides an inclusive platform
sophisticated techniques to explore the possibilities and for artists who may not have access to traditional art supplies
generate novel outputs. These outputs can encompass a wide or resources. Generative AI tools offer a welcoming space for
range of creative outputs, such as images, text, or even individuals to explore their creativity, regardless of their
business ideas. The process of connecting different ideas is a artistic background. With simplified interfaces and intuitive
fundamental aspect of generative AI. By combining unrelated controls, these tools ensure that learners can easily navigate
concepts, the AI algorithms can discover associations and and utilize the full potential of generative AI technology. By
resemblances that humans may not have initially considered. making art creation more accessible, generative AI empowers
Participant 2 stated “This AI-generated image is like nothing artists to unleash their imagination and express their ideas. It
I've seen before! It's out of this world...Even though I'm not eliminates barriers that may hinder learners' expression,
an artist, I can create stunning images and make my own fostering a more inclusive arts community. Participant 7 also
artworks with this AI tool. It's like having a whole new world shared “I'm hooked. I can't wait to keep generating these
of creativity at my fingertips!" This capability allows for the amazing images every single day. AI has opened up a whole
exploration of uncharted territories, enabling learners to new world of creativity for me.” The accessibility of
break free from conventional thinking patterns and embrace generative AI democratizes creativity by offering
innovative approaches. Moreover, generative AI tools offer a opportunities to learners from various socio-economic
fresh perspective by presenting learners with outputs that are backgrounds. Young learners who lack access to expensive
often unexpected or unconventional. These outputs can art supplies or specialized training can now explore their
challenge preconceived notions and provide alternative artistic potential through generative AI tools, expanding their
viewpoints, inspiring individuals to think outside the box and artistic horizons. Participant 5 implied “You know, AI has
approach problems from different angles. Participant 5 been a game-changer for me. Even though my family couldn't
expressed "I was given some key words to mix up a bird and afford art supplies due to our humble background, I can now
a cat, and what I ended up seeing was this totally new express my creativity for free! It feels like a dream come
creature I never even dreamed of! It was way beyond true!”
anything I could've imagined, and it just got me all excited
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2023 15th International Conference on Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ICITEE)
4) Fostering Collaboration All five key findings that offer valuable insights into how
Generative AI tools encourage young learners to generative AI platforms can assist learners in exploring their
collaborate with AI systems to enhance their creativity. By creativity and developing essential skills are presented in
providing a platform for collaboration and experimentation, Table 1.
generative AI tools can help young learners develop their
creative skills and explore new ideas. Collaborating with AI TABLE I : KEY INSIGHTS INTO THE IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI
ON LEARNERS
systems can benefit young learners by giving them
opportunities to deepen their understanding of the creative Key Findings Description
process. Participant 11 stated "After diving into AI and 1) Inspiration and Generative AI sparks creativity by
Creativity connecting diverse ideas and producing
understanding how prompts work, I feel like I've got a better novel outputs, encouraging innovative
grasp of how it all comes together. It's fascinating how it can thinking.
give me answers or spark new ideas". They can learn how to 2) Iteration and Learners can quickly explore various
effectively work with AI tools to achieve their artistic goals, Experimentation creative options, empowering them to
experiment, refine, and push the boundaries
leveraging the capabilities of AI systems to enhance their of their work.
creative outputs. Through collaboration, young learners can 3) Accessibility Generative AI tools are user-friendly and
also acquire new skills and techniques. Participant 3 also inclusive, democratizing creativity for
stated "I'm discovering so many things about shaping the individuals from diverse backgrounds.
answers or getting specific creative images from the AI 4) Collaboration Collaboration with AI systems enhances
learners' creative understanding and skills,
system. It's not always easy to get exactly what you want, but enabling effective interaction with AI.
I'm learning to prompt it more effectively and concisely. It's 5) Skill Development Generative AI supports language proficiency
a learning process, but it's exciting!". Working alongside AI and exposes learners to artistic techniques,
systems allows them to explore different approaches, fostering growth in language and art skills.
experiment with various parameters, and learn from the V. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE STUDY
outputs generated by the AI.
The study emphasizes the significance of AI literacy in
5) Facilitating Skill Development empowering individuals to engage intelligently with
Generative AI serves as a supportive tool for skill generative AI. As this technology becomes increasingly
development in multiple areas. When using AI models, pervasive in creative domains and daily life, it unlocks a
learners can improve their language proficiency through the world of creative possibilities, generating content based on
prompts and conversations. By actively engaging with the AI, natural language descriptions. The research focuses on young
they can expand their vocabulary, strengthen their learners' interaction with generative AI and its impact on
understanding of sentence structures, and develop their creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Findings
ability to articulate ideas effectively. Additionally, by from the workshop with high school students in Northern
observing and analyzing the outputs generated by generative Thailand reveal positive perceptions and high usability of
AI, learners can gain valuable insights into artistic generative AI. The study highlights five key aspects:
techniques, styles, and approaches. Participant 6 revealed inspiring creative thinking, enabling iteration, promoting
"Since I started using AI, my English has improved so much! accessibility, fostering collaboration, and facilitating skill
I've learned a bunch of new vocabulary that helps me create development. Young learners can expand their horizons in art
better prompts to get the right answers and amazing image creation, content generation, and idea expression by
outputs. It's like a double win - improving my language skills embracing generative AI, fostering digital literacy, and
and unleashing my creativity with AI!". This exposure to AI- equipping them with essential skills to navigate an AI-driven
generated artwork or content can broaden their artistic future. This research offers valuable insights into the
horizons, inspire new ideas, and assist in refining their own importance of generative AI literacy among young learners,
artistic abilities. Overall, generative AI offers a dual underlining the need to integrate AI education into curricula.
opportunity for skill development - enhancing language skills
through interaction with AI models and refining artistic Future research study could explore the long-term impact
abilities by learning from AI-generated outputs. This of generative AI literacy on students' artistic development. A
combination of language and artistic development creates a longitudinal study could track participants' creative progress
rich learning experience for young learners, enabling them to over time, while a comparative study might assess differences
grow and excel in both areas. between traditional and AI-augmented artistic outcomes.
Investigating the ethical implications of AI usage and
developing responsible AI guidelines could enhance AI-
focused curricula. Additionally, understanding educators'
role in facilitating generative AI education and exploring AI's
potential in other creative disciplines could further enrich the
field. These studies aim to equip students with essential skills
for thriving in an AI-driven society and contribute to
evidence-based strategies for fostering creativity and
innovation.
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2023 15th International Conference on Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ICITEE)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT [12] Anantrasirichai, N., & Bull, D. (2022). Artificial intelligence in the
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Witthayakhom School in the province of Chiang Rai for their Deep generative modelling: A comparative review of vaes, gans,
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