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A Kids Book About AI Bias is written by Dr. Avriel Epps, a Black computational social scientist who researches how AI bias impacts kids. In the introduction Epps states that the book is best read together with grownups and kids. This is definitely true, as the book uses some words or phrases that may be unfamiliar to adults. It is written with the intention of discussion between two or more people. The ‘intro for grownups’ explains that the book is intended to encourage readers to “…think critically about technology, recognize biases, and envision a future in where AI is developed responsibly.”

Throughout A Kids Book About AI Bias, Epps engages readers with use of bold colors, large text size, and several different fonts. There is very little text on each page, which makes the information and questions digestible for both youth and adults, invoking popular infographic posts seen on social media apps. While the design choices are impactful, the use of more graphics would likely be helpful for deeper comprehension or engagement.

Epps effectively provides examples of why AI biases can be harmful, such as face filters being trained on white faces. She explains that doctors, colleges, and police currently use AI. The author poses many thought-provoking questions to readers such as “What would be fair? What is the outcome we want to see?” in regard to the existence of bias in AI.

Overall, this book is most beneficial for youth and adults who already have a basic understanding of AI before learning about concepts in this book. If readers have already`tried out a service like ChatGPT, they can apply this experience to new knowledge about AI bias using the questions Epps provides. The author directs readers to think about certain questions “the next time [they] see an AI program generate a picture or propose an action online.”

Age recommendation: I would recommend this book to middle school and high school-age youth and the adults in their lives. There are terms such as “social hierarchy” that may be too advanced for upper elementary students.

A Kids Book About AI Bias is available now.