Navigating Intergenerational Challenges: Korean Immigrant Families and AI Integration
As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly permeates daily family life, immigrant families face unique challenges that intertwine their cultural, linguistic, and generational dynamics. A recent study focusing on Korean immigrant families in the United States sheds light on how these families are navigating the integration of AI technologies, such as virtual assistants and conversational AI tools like ChatGPT, in their homes.
The research, which involved 20 semi-structured interviews with parents and teenagers, reveals significant insights into the interplay between technology and family dynamics. Two primary practices emerged that delineate how these families engage with AI: “interpretive gatekeeping” and “convenient critical deferment.”
Interpretive gatekeeping is a concept where parents actively mediate their children’s use of AI tools, filtering their experiences through the lens of cultural and ethical values. This practice reflects a desire among immigrant parents to instill their cultural heritage in the digital landscape, shaping their children’s understanding of AI within a framework of cultural identity and moral reasoning. By doing so, they aim to ensure that their offspring navigate the complexities of AI with their cultural context in mind, thus protecting them from potential ethical dilemmas that might arise in an increasingly digital world.
On the other hand, the practice of convenient critical deferment highlights how teenagers often postpone critical assessments of AI technologies for the sake of practical advantages in academics and social interactions. For many teens, the immediate benefits of AI, such as enhanced learning tools and social connectivity, outweigh the need for rigorous analysis of these technologies. This behavior underscores a differing perspective across generations regarding AI engagement, with younger users more inclined to prioritize convenience over critical scrutiny.
These intertwined practices challenge existing models of AI literacy that are predominantly skills-based, indicating instead that AI literacy should be viewed as a dynamic, relational practice that evolves through ongoing negotiations within families. This nuanced understanding of intergenerational AI literacy is crucial not only for information science but also for human-computer interaction (HCI), as it emphasizes the importance of family dynamics in the design and deployment of AI systems.
The implications of this study are significant for researchers and developers alike, suggesting the need for more culturally sensitive and family-centric AI technology. By acknowledging the intricate interactions between cultural values, generational perspectives, and the use of AI, stakeholders can foster the development of AI tools that not only serve individual needs but also respect and promote the diverse backgrounds of immigrant families. As society moves towards a future increasingly influenced by AI, understanding such dynamics will be essential for creating equitable, responsive, and inclusive technological solutions.
