SINGAPORE: Education Minister Desmond Lee’s proposal to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) tools to Primary 4 pupils has drawn concern from a digital wellness educator, who warned that such moves must be evaluated beyond their potential academic benefits.

In a forum letter to The Straits Times, Ms Carol Loh Pui Wan, founder of Village Consultancy, responded to recent remarks by the Education Minister, who said AI exposure for younger students would be kept limited and closely supervised.

Speaking at The Straits Times Education Forum, Mr Lee had said, “We must equip students not just with the ability to use ‘horizontal’ AI tools, but with the depth of knowledge and judgment to use them well in ‘vertical’ applications that will be true game changers, he added.

He further revealed that AI will be introduced only at the Primary 4 level, under close supervision and “low exposure.”

Ms Loh argued that the issue should not be framed solely around improving classroom efficiency or learning outcomes. Instead, she stressed the need to consider insights from neuroscience on how children develop cognitively and emotionally.

She pointed out that children around the age of 10 are still developing key abilities such as focus, self-control, judgment, and perseverance. These foundational skills, she said, influence how they engage with learning and navigate the world around them.

Against this backdrop, Ms Loh expressed concern about the introduction of AI systems that are designed to provide rapid responses and reduce the mental effort required to complete tasks. Such features, she suggested, could pose risks to children’s development if introduced too early.

Drawing parallels with the rise of social media, she noted that safeguards for young users were implemented only after widespread adoption, leading to lasting effects on mental health, sleep patterns, attention spans, and family dynamics. She added that several countries are now moving to limit technology companies’ access to users under the age of 16.

Ms Loh also highlighted existing international recommendations, pointing to guidance issued by UNESCO in 2023. These include calls for stronger regulation of generative AI in education, protections for student d...