Artificial intelligence explained simply – for parents, children & families
A playful introduction to the world of artificial intelligence – for parents, children and anyone who wants to use AI safely and creatively in everyday life.
ChatGPT and other AI tools have long since become part of our everyday lives – but how can families use these technologies sensibly without being overwhelmed?
This book helps parents to discover the world of artificial intelligence together with their children.
In clear language, it explains what AI is, shows practical applications in everyday family life and provides over 50 prompts that can be tried out immediately.
Whether it’s homework help, creative stories or playful experiments – the Hey AI! What are you doing there? makes AI understandable, safe and a real experience for the whole family.
When I started to work more intensively with artificial intelligence, I quickly realized that many families are curious, but at the same time unsure. Parents ask themselves: How do I explain to my children what AI is? And how can I use them sensibly and safely? In my workshops with children and young people, I have experienced how much curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm is generated when AI is taught in an understandable and practical way.
Together with Meike Tarabori, I wanted to write a book that starts right here. We wanted to show that AI is not just a technical topic, but also something that families can discover together – playfully, creatively and responsibly. Our aim was to create a resource that combines learning and fun and gives parents and children the opportunity to try out and understand AI in everyday life.
This book is ideal for:
In this book you will learn, among other things:
Artificial intelligence is changing our world at a rapid pace. For our children’s generation, AI will be a natural part of school, education and work.
This makes it all the more important that they learn early on not only to use these technologies, but also to understand and critically classify them.
Responsible use of AI protects against risks and at the same time opens up enormous opportunities – from creative projects and learning support to future career opportunities.
This book aims to support families in introducing children to these future skills in a gentle, safe and enjoyable way.
I am a researcher and lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and am doing my doctorate in Conversational AI at the University of Fribourg.
For years, I have been working on the use of artificial intelligence – especially chatbots and strategic AI solutions for companies and public institutions.
As an AI consultant, researcher and speaker, I support companies and institutions in the use of AI systems and conduct research at the interface between technology, ethics and society.
With this book, I bring my specialist knowledge into an everyday framework for families.
“I want to encourage families to try out AI, ask questions and have their own experiences – that’s how we all learn the most.” – Sophie Hundertmark
Journalist, author and expert on digitalization and education.
She has worked for many years as editor-in-chief of various specialist publications and has published numerous articles, guides and specialist books that make complex technologies accessible to a wide audience.
A particular focus of her work is on presenting knowledge in a child-friendly and understandable way, while also providing parents and teachers with concrete assistance.
Her experience enables her to present complex content relating to digitalization and AI in a way that makes it easy to apply in everyday life.
“It’s important to me that children and parents don’t see AI as something threatening, but as a tool that can be used creatively and responsibly.” – Meike Tarabori
No. The book is deliberately aimed at beginners. All content is explained in simple language and can be used immediately.
Both. It is designed so that parents can read and try it out together with their children. Adults get the background explained, children the playful prompts.
Children aged 8 and over can gain their first experience with the prompts. Younger children can also take part with the support of their parents.
Most of the examples are written for ChatGPT, but they also work in other common AI tools. A free account is usually sufficient.
Yes. In addition to the playful examples, there are tips on how to use AI responsibly – especially for families.
Yes. Many of the examples are ideal for teaching or for joint workshops with children and young people. Teachers and educators can easily integrate the prompts into their lessons.
The prompts are deliberately designed so that they can be tried out without a great deal of preparation. A device with Internet access and a little time to try it out is usually enough.
The book is available from Amazon, bookshops and directly from Sophie.
Explanations, examples, tasks, tools and best practices for the responsible use of AI in everyday family, parent and child life.
What you can expect in the new German-language book on Generative AI for companies
Artificial intelligence has long been part of our everyday lives – whether at school, at the kitchen table or in our leisure time. But who explains to children what is behind ChatGPT & Co. And who accompanies parents when they want to find their own way between technology, responsibility and curiosity? This book is aimed at anyone who doesn’t want to leave dealing with AI to chance: parents who want to understand what AI actually is; children who want to handle it with curiosity and confidence; and families who want to discover together how learning, laughter and critical thinking go hand in hand, even in the digital age. Teachers and other accompanying persons will also find many specific tips and explanations suitable for everyday use.
Part 2 – Practice & application
AI in everyday family life, at school and at work. With prompts, templates & aha-moments for young and old.
Part 3 – Outlook & responsibility
Digital self-confidence, ethics in everyday life, parents as role models – and an honest look into the future.
Sophie Hundertmark is an expert with extensive practical and research experience in generative AI, chatbots, artificial intelligence and digital assistants such as ChatGPT.
She advises international companies such as Helvetia, Jura, Raiffeisen, Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, healthcare organizations such as the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital and NGOs such as Hilfswerk on the deployment, use and improvement of AI applications and chatbots.
She is also a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop moderator for AI and related topics.
In addition to her practical experience, Sophie’s findings from her work as a researcher and lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts also flow into her lectures and consultations.
Sophie’s activities aim to provide her audience with knowledge on how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly, sustainably and consciously. She encourages people to think critically, question processes and develop transparency and foresight. These skills are crucial for the future-oriented and innovative development of our society.
As a member of boards of directors and advisory boards, Sophie supports innovative companies such as AlpineAI, eggheads.ai, Joaia and Cloudburst and is active on the board of the SwissInsights Association.
And if you want to know why, according to Sophie, yellow letterboxes will still be needed in 20 years’ time, you should definitely listen to one of her talks or consultations. www.sophiehundertmark.com
Meike Tarabori is editor-in-chief of cmm360, the renowned Swiss magazine for customer relations stars and service champions. As an experienced marketing and communications expert with degrees in business, marketing and German literature, she has gained valuable experience at companies such as KUKA Robotics and most recently at the Cybathlon ETH Zurich. Today, she is a successful postcast host with “Meike’s Raumzeit” and “ICT Talk” and is also the organizer of the Swiss Customer Relations Awards, a platform that recognizes and awards innovative projects for creating sustainable customer relationships and unique customer interactions.
On May 15, 2023, I was able to give a brief input on ChatGPT to the Swiss Federal Council. Afterwards, the topics of AI, transparency, ethics and possible applications were discussed together with the management.
I have given other presentations on ChatGPT at Sparkassen Finanzgruppe, Suva and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, for example.
In addition to these customer groups, I am also giving more and more targeted workshops for parents, for example, at parents’ forums or directly for children, for example on the campsite in the form of the campsite’s own leisure activities.
No. The book is deliberately written in such a way that no prior technical knowledge is required. All terms and concepts are explained in an understandable and everyday way – even for readers who have had little to do with AI so far.
Not yet. But if interest in an audio book grows, we will consider it. Please send us a short request via e-mail to sophie@hundertmark.ch.
The book comprises around 200 pages including illustrations, exercises and aha moments for children and adults.
Yes, you can choose whether you want a hardcover edition or an e-book when you buy.
The book explains how Generative AI works – using language models such as ChatGPT – clearly and without technical jargon. It is not aimed at programmers, but at families who want to understand how AI works.
Yes. In addition to ChatGPT, other tools such as Gemini, Claude or SwissGPT are also mentioned. The book shows how they can be used sensibly in everyday family and school life.
Yes. A separate chapter – including a guest article by Ursula Uttinger (Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts) – is dedicated to data protection, data security and the current legal framework, particularly when dealing with children.
Absolutely. Each chapter contains specific instructions, prompts, exercises and ideas for everyday family life. Many “aha” moments encourage people to try things out together.
The book can easily be read over a long weekend. It is structured in such a way that individual chapters can also be read separately and tried out directly in everyday life.
The book is aimed at parents, guardians and teachers who want to help children aged between 6 and 16 to use AI responsibly – regardless of whether they have any experience with ChatGPT & Co. themselves.
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Interested in a workshop? Then write to me with your ideas and wishes and I will send you a non-binding offer. Most workshops cost CHF 2500 – 3000, but depending on the scope, it can also be cheaper or more expensive.
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Max Mustermann
Mustermann GmbH
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Max Mustermann
Mustermann GmbH
