When Students Turn to AI Instead of People

In this episode we explore the relationship between AI use, belonging, and social connection among young people, and what two recent studies suggest educators should understand as students return to school.Drawing on research from the Rhythm Project and the California Partners Project, we look at why some young people are turning to AI for more than help with tasks.Topics covered:• The connection between students’ sense of belonging and their AI use• Why emotional vulnerability may predict higher-risk AI use• The difference between purposeful AI use and dependency on AI for emotional support• Why students who feel unwelcome in physical spaces may turn to AI chatbots more often• The lack of conversations between young people and adults about AI• Why teachers need to understand students’ out-of-school AI experiences• What schools can do to create stronger opportunities for belonging and human connectionSources:https://www.calpartnersproject.org/_files/ugd/2ceb15_fbca2279eb654ca1a91f2c10e756e6ab.pdfhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1oGI3uxseNdfIc2Pms19TsKBQOB7wnJhV/view