Promoting STEAM Education and AI/Robot Ethics in a Child-Robot Theater Afterschool Program

Abstract

A nine-week robot theater afterschool program was conducted in an elementary school to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education using various Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and social robots. In particular, the program aims to explore children's perceptions of the ethical implications of AI/robots in education. As a result, children showed excitement towards learning and interacting with AI/robots. Children's responses to ethical topics were also valuable as they expressed empathy towards robots and thought the developer should be responsible for negative situations, such as bullying. The present program will expand the knowledge of AI/robot ethics in early education.