AI in the nursery

Birth to age 3 is the most consequential period for human development. As AI-enabled technologies increasingly reach into the lives of babies, toddlers, and their caregivers, protecting the secure attachment, back-and-forth communication, and human connection that form for the foundations for lifelong well-being remains essential. 

On May 18, the Center for Universal Education at Brookings and Zero To Three hosted a panel discussion to delve into what AI means for babies and toddlers. As the second event in the Generation AI Starts Early webinar series, the discussion brought together diverse perspectives from health, technology, and policy. The panel explored the needs of babies and toddlers, the opportunities and potential risks as AI enters family life, and how parents, caregivers, educators, and policymakers can navigate an increasingly complex technological landscape.

The Generation AI Starts Early series brings together leading experts in early childhood development and related fields to examine how AI is entering children’s everyday lives and what this could mean for their development and future trajectories. The series also explores the guardrails, policies, and design principles needed to ensure that, as babies and children grow up in an AI world, the human relationships and experiences that underpin healthy development remain central.