Helping students thrive in an AI-driven world

What struck me most about the recently unveiled findings of our latest BBC Bitesize and 5 Live Teen Summit Survey, was the concerns young people had about AI. A third (30%) were considering how AI might impact future jobs, as well as creativity and the spread of misinformation. A quarter (24%) of those surveyed struggled to find out where to learn about AI and how best to use it. Despite these concerns, the use of AI to help with homework or coursework had increased to nearly half (47%) compared to 36% in 2024 and 29% in 2023.

It was findings like these that prompted us to come up with a resource to help young people embrace AI whilst acknowledging its challenges. Our new BBC Bitesize Guide to AI is designed to support your students and provide resources you can use in the classroom. We’ve put together a collection of films to help teenagers navigate AI and increase their critical thinking, showcasing some of the exciting ways AI is changing the world of work and future jobs. We’re also creating a comprehensive guide to help teachers bring these resources into the classroom. In January, we will launch teacher notes alongside a Welsh language offering, ensuring every teacher has the tools they need to make the most of this resource.

We enlisted the help of Newsround’s Emma-Louise Amanshia and Gareth Elis from S4C to guide teenagers as they put AI through its paces. Each short film features young people trying out AI and discussing what surprised them, what might be useful and what might need to be avoided.

We also looked at some of the innovative ways AI is already being used in the world of work. Focusing on the stories of young people early in their careers, five films look at how AI is changing fashion, gaming, music, conservation and sport. Across the series, we see AI in action, from the designer bringing digital creativity to fashion, to the producer treating algorithms as bandmates, and the developer crafting one-of-a-kind gaming adventures. In science, it’s helping University of St Andrews biologists identify dolphin species, and on the pitch, it’s guiding football teams to spot and nurture future players.

As well as the BBC Bitesize Guide to AI, I’d suggest taking a look at Other Side of the Story (which can be found in the Trending section of the BBC Bitesize website). It is packed with resources to help students be more critical and curious about what they see and share online. There are also articles and quizzes that can help students to decipher what is or isn’t fake news and how to address misinformation.

AI is shaping the world and already a big part of students' lives. We need to give them the knowledge and tools that they will need to thrive and grow.

Cerys Griffths is Head of BBC Bitesize. To find out more about the BBC Bitesize Guide to AI, visit: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesizeguidetoai