AI and Children: Is Technology Helping Them Grow or Changing The Way They Think

AI is rapidly becoming part of children’s everyday lives — from learning and homework to conversations and emotional support. But what does this growing dependence mean for their developing minds and relationships? To understand the impact of AI on children, we speak to Dr Nimish G. Desai, senior psychiatrist and former Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi, who has worked extensively in the field of mental health. In this conversation, we explore how children are using AI, where the concerns around dependence lie, and how parents can help children use technology without allowing it to replace human connection.