Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from a background tool supporting recommendation engines, fraud detection, and search functions into a core feature in consumer-facing applications. Over the past two decades, AI applications were mostly technical and hidden from users. However, recent advancements, particularly in large language models (LLMs), have shifted AI closer to the end-user experience. AI is now being intentionally designed into products, especially those aimed at enhancing user interaction.

AI x Gaming

One of the emerging areas for AI is the children’s market. According to a report by Konvoy, this space represents a significant opportunity for the development of AI tools that support young users. While concerns remain about the potential negative impacts of children engaging with chat-based AI systems, especially in voice and text formats, there is growing interest in exploring how these tools can be used to support a child's intellectual, emotional, and creative development in a safe and thoughtful manner.

How AI and Gaming Support Children's Creativity

AI in Education and Social Development

Research suggests that AI can play an important role in personalized education and social skill development for children. AI’s ability to adapt to individual learning needs allows it to serve as a highly responsive educational tool. An example of this is Stanford's AI-based math tutor, which increased student performance by 9 percent through adaptive learning techniques. AI platforms such as Luqo AI use spaced repetition to present key concepts at optimal times, supporting long-term retention and comprehension.

AI also offers practical advantages for parents and educators. Unlike human tutors, AI systems can provide consistent responses and unlimited patience. This allows children to ask repeated or complex questions without hesitation. Additionally, the cost of AI tutoring is significantly lower than traditional tutoring. While one-on-one tutoring may cost between $50 and $150 per hour, AI subscriptions generally range from $20 to $60 per month, providing broader access to learning support.

Stanford's AI-based Math Tutor

Speed and Effectiveness of Learning 

Studies from institutions such as Harvard show that AI can increase the speed and effectiveness of learning. Students using AI reportedly learn at twice the pace of traditional methods. In addition, 83 percent of participants in a Harvard study rated AI explanations as equivalent to or better than those provided by human instructors. AI also improves standardized test preparation, with consistent practice leading to higher proficiency rates.

Beyond academic learning, AI is being used to support the development of social-emotional skills. Tools like the Milo robot have been used to help children recognize emotions and practice social interactions. In one study, engagement rates with Milo reached 87.5 percent, compared to only 2 to 3 percent with human therapists.

These results highlight the potential for AI to offer new forms of support, especially for children with specific developmental needs. However, concerns remain about the risk of reducing human interaction. Experts from the University of Illinois caution that increased reliance on AI may diminish the quality of teacher-student relationships, which are essential for social development.

How AI and Gaming Support Children's Creativity

Encouraging Creativity Through AI Tools

AI is also being used to support creative expression in children. Tools such as DALL-E and Deep Dream Generator allow young users to generate images based on text input, helping them visualize their ideas without advanced artistic skills. Platforms like Plotago can turn children’s written stories into animated videos, giving kids the ability to see their narratives come to life.

These tools can be particularly helpful for children who may struggle to express themselves through traditional methods. For parents, AI-based storytelling and gaming platforms offer convenience and personalization. Apps such as Bedtimestory.AI, Oscar Stories, Storytailor, and HyperWrite allow parents to instantly generate stories that are tailored to a child’s reading level, interests, and preferences.

While these tools can support early exploration of creativity, there is concern about their long-term effects. Some studies suggest that AI may limit creative development by reducing the need for children to work through the creative process independently. The Young Investigators Review points out that the automation of creativity may decrease opportunities for children to develop original thinking skills over time.

Bedtimestory.AI App

Addressing Safety and Privacy Concerns

As AI becomes more integrated into products aimed at children, concerns around safety, privacy, and ethical design have become more prominent. AI systems used by children often collect and analyze data to personalize interactions. This raises questions about what data is collected, how it is stored, and who can access it. Several solutions are being developed to ensure that AI tools are safe for children.

Child-tuning, for example, allows developers to limit the capabilities of AI models so that only age-appropriate content is available. KidRails is another approach that adjusts the complexity and detail of responses depending on the child's age, ensuring that content is understandable and relevant. AI models can also be trained on kid-safe datasets that include educational stories and moderated dialogues, which helps maintain appropriate boundaries.

How AI and Gaming Support Children's Creativity

Verification Tools and Security Protocols 

Verification tools such as k-ID help determine the age of users so that the AI system can adapt the experience accordingly. These tools are important for keeping content relevant and secure, especially in products that are accessed online. There are also practices aimed at improving the safety of AI before and after deployment. During pre-training, harmful content can be removed from datasets, while educational and emotionally positive material is prioritized.

Models can be fine-tuned to reflect age-appropriate language and learning styles. In post-training, tools such as real-time profanity filters and frustration detectors can be added to flag or reroute sensitive interactions. This allows for more reliable and safer AI use among young users. Transparency remains a key consideration, and some organizations have chosen to publish their safety frameworks publicly to build trust with users and regulators.

Verification Tools Such As k-ID

The Path Forward

As AI tools continue to gain traction among younger audiences, there is a growing need for systems that are both beneficial and safe. The research shows that AI can offer meaningful support in education, creativity, and social development, but it also presents challenges that must be carefully addressed.

Developers and educators alike are recognizing that AI should be used as a supplement rather than a replacement for human interaction. With careful design, clear guardrails, and ongoing oversight, AI can support children's learning and growth in ways that are effective, engaging, and secure. As the presence of AI grows across education, entertainment, and web3 spaces, ensuring that children's experiences are safe and enriching will remain a central concern.

Source: Konvoy