I wish I had had this when I was a 5-year-old. Few of my teachers really understood the things I wanted to learn, my peers weren't interested in the nerdy things I was, and my parents certainly didn't have the wealth to provide me with private tutoring. There are a lot of negative comments here, but they are shallow... I'm sure those commenters wouldn't want to live without the access to the Internet, and even a brilliant five-year-old can't use the Internet effectively yet. A smart and curious 5-year-old has endless questions and a properly harnessed LLM has endless patience to provide answers at a level the kind can understand (which usually not even it's parents do).
In fact, this could be one of the most beneficial uses of AI for society yet... private tutors of the level that the mega-rich always had, now for all kids everywhere! This gives me real hope for the future generations of humanity.
>Few of my teachers really understood the things I wanted to learn, my peers weren't interested in the nerdy things I was, and my parents certainly didn't have the wealth to provide me with private tutoring.
I can understand saying that when you're in middle or high school. But as a 5 year old? This comment has to be a joke?
It wouldn't really surprise me if the average kindergarten teacher (or just adult) had no idea how e.g. an air conditioner or an elevator or one of those emergency flashlights that you can power by shaking or any number of other everyday things works.
Are you asking me to believe that the educational system underserves kindergartners because the average kindergarten teacher can't provide an education on your narrow technical interest?
The responsibilities of the average kindergarten teacher probably include 1) making sure your kids don't swallow glue, and 2) making sure little johnny doesn't throw another tantrum.
Are you just conceding the point here? The original commenter was obviously a curious child, not a tantrum throwing glue eater. That ostensible teachers are busy babysitting (or potty training now, apparently) the latter means the former are neglected, sure.
I chose those examples as things that any high schooler if not middle schooler should be able to describe the working principles of, so yeah my point is exactly that simple things around us are apparently beyond the reach of most adults to begin to explain. So if a kid wants to know about them, the computer might be their only option.
That's one interpretation: the system doesn't take of your specific needs and therefore it's neglectful or inadequate. Another interpretation is that the teacher is doing exactly what the school needs them to do because most 5 year olds aren't concerned with how air conditioners work. And perhaps it shouldn't be the responsibility of the kindergarten teacher to provide technical education?
There's a conversation to be had about the educational system underserving the intellectually curious. Trying to make that point in the context of kindergarten is a little absurd to me.
No one in this subthread said teachers aren't doing exactly what the schools need them to do; the OP you replied to said properly harnessed LLMs could be a boon for a smart, curious child. Why is that absurd for kindergartners? My oldest probably started asking me about everything she sees when she was 3. Curious, undeserved kindergartners exist.
The idea that they can be tailored to the needs and interests of every individual is the point.
I was that same 5 year old. I do think that if we want AI to force-multiply humanity, we need to start leveraging it for education. I think it's one of the biggest levers we have to be honest
AI aside, I think the biggest thing we could do is stop thinking about education as a profit centre. We’re not multiplying humanity if we’re only doing it for the fraction that can afford it.
Edit: Having more of a look I see you’re making this freemium, which is a good thing.
And fully free in emerging markets, beginning in Africa
how much do you think education costs in "Africa"?
Had they said in Europe or in Asia would you be doing this dance of just seeking to correct something perceived to be wrong on the internet?
This: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48855732 is a much better comment of yours, even better were the swipe about arse talking to be removed.
Europe is tricky because of the EU but yes "poverty in Asia" is as meaningless as "poverty in Africa". At least care enough to know the specifics otherwise there is no point except grandstanding.
Also thanks for engaging with my comments but I said what I said.
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are you advocating to allow 5-year olds access to the internet?
That's called a strawman. Way to go to reduce his argument to "let kids use internet at 5yo".