New storybook by AI Singapore to help lower primary school children learn about AI

March 13, 2022
4:53 pm
AI Innovation, Announcements, Articles, IG

AI Singapore (AISG) today announced the launch of a storybook, Daisy and her AI Friends, which introduces basic artificial intelligence (AI) concepts like computer vision and machine learning, to children aged between seven and eight years old in a fun and easy-to-understand way.

Launched by Minister of State for Education and Manpower, Ms Gan Siow Huang, the storybook marks another milestone of the AI for Kids (AI4K)^® programme, which previously groomed teachers and parent volunteers to conduct AI enrichment classes for upper primary school children.

Koo Sengmeng, Senior Deputy Director of AI Innovation at AI Singapore said, “AI is one of the most transformative technologies for the past decade and Singapore recognises it as an important enabler of our Smart Nation vision. It is never too early to introduce and demystify AI to our younger generation. This storybook expands AISG’s generational AI capabilities development efforts to groom national AI literacy for all, and we hope the book will kickstart the learning journey for the child and parents alike.”

Creating a book that makes AI relatable

The 40-page storybook follows the story of Daisy as she finds her way around the school campus on her first day of class. Along the way, she enlists the help of new friends who embody basic AI concepts such as computer vision, natural language processing and machine learning. Daisy eventually locates her classroom, thanks to the abilities of her friends.

Work on the book started in April 2021 with a storybook character design competition for primary school children. It received over 230 submissions and 10 finalists’ designs were chosen. These designs were then brought to life in the storybook by a local student from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts to accompany the storyline developed by AISG.

Making AI literacy accessible to everyone

Members of the public can borrow Daisy and her AI Friends in hard copy at the public libraries or access the digital copy via National Library Board and AISG’s LearnAI website.

To commemorate the launch, Meta has sponsored the first print run of 10,000 copies which will be distributed to low-income families by AISG to ensure equitable opportunities for everyone in Singapore to learn about AI. These families are beneficiaries of the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Community Link programme as well as TOUCH Community Services, Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan amongst others. AISG looks forward to working with more like-minded grassroots and community partners to widen the distribution of the storybook to more beneficiaries.

Plans are also underway for a roadshow featuring the storybook’s concept art and storyboard at selected public libraries from 1 April 2022. More details would be available via AISG’s social media channels at a later date.

More information on the (AI4K)^® programme can be found here.

"As we start to build for the metaverse, the key to unlocking our vision for the future is going to be our use of AI. We believe that the metaverse can potentially provide limitless opportunities and we are delighted to sponsor this initiative. Through this storybook format, we hope to inspire and excite the younger generation with technology.”

"Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan has been partnering AI Singapore to introduce artificial intelligence and data literacy to teachers and students in our affiliated primary schools to better prepare our children for the digital future. We are happy and honoured to support the AI4K storybook initiative to reach out to young children from low-income families, and hope to do our small part in inculcating the love for learning and passion for technology in our future generations. We applaud AI Singapore's effort and wish the storybook a great success!"

“This partnership demonstrates the value of tapping on the strengths of different organisations within the community to help build a nation of people who are more digitally savvy, resilient and confident of the future. TOUCH believes in empowering every individual with knowledge and support so that we can progress together as a community in the digital age. We look forward to putting the book in the hands of children from lower-income families, and providing them the opportunity to discover their potential and interests in AI.”