Lego's latest educational kit seeks to teach AI as part of computer science, not to build a chatbot

[Alive Armadillo]

Lego Unveils Computer Science and AI Learning Solution Amidst Chatbot Frenzy

In a surprising move, the iconic toy brand has launched its latest educational initiative, the Computer Science and AI Learning Solution, aimed at teaching fundamental computer science concepts to children through the familiar world of Lego bricks. Gone are the days of building chatbots; instead, kids will learn about probability, statistics, data quality, algorithmic bias, sensors, machine perception – all without venturing into the realm of generative AI.

Lego Education's head of product experience, Andrew Silwinski, defended the brand's approach, stating that fluency in computer science tools is not about generating sloppy images or music but rather expanding what it means to learn about AI. This stance highlights Lego's commitment to providing a comprehensive education rooted in traditional computer science principles.

The Computer Science and AI kit comprises lessons designed for grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8, incorporating Lego bricks, additional hardware, and tailored lessons. The kits are designed for four students to work together under teacher supervision, addressing the lack of resources teachers often face in teaching computer science subjects.

The study commissioned by Lego Education revealed that half of global teachers find current resources leave their students bored, while nearly half report difficulties connecting computer science to students' interests or daily lives. By introducing this initiative, Lego aims to fill this gap and provide a hands-on learning experience that bridges the gap between AI and traditional computer science education.

One notable aspect of Lego's approach is its emphasis on local inference, ensuring that data never leaves the student's device. This ensures a secure and child-centric learning environment, unlike many consumer-facing AI tools that often anthropomorphize AI or use conversational interfaces to abstract away from the mechanics.

Lego also prioritized making the lessons accessible to teachers, providing comprehensive materials, training, and presentation resources to ensure educators can effectively teach the course. The brand has taken into account varying starting points for students in different schools, adapting its curriculum to accommodate both younger and older age groups.

The Computer Science and AI kit is now available for pre-order, with prices starting at $339.95 for the K-2 sets, increasing to $429.95 and $529.95 for 3-5 and 6-8 sets, respectively. Bundles and quotes for larger orders are also available for school districts.

By taking a step back from the chatbot craze and focusing on computer science fundamentals, Lego has created an educational initiative that feels refreshingly traditional yet remarkably modern. As educators and parents eagerly await the arrival of these kits in April, it's clear that this is an approach worth watching – one that might just redefine how we teach AI to our children.

 

[MTV's Army Sma]

omg I'm low-key excited about Lego's new educational initiative! they're tackling the chatbot craze head-on and focusing on actual computer science concepts instead of just generating pretty images it makes total sense, tho - fluency in CS tools isn't just about making cool stuff, but also about understanding algorithms and data quality

I love that Lego's approach is all about hands-on learning with a focus on local inference , ensuring kids stay safe and in control of their own learning environment. it's so refreshing to see a brand like Lego prioritize CS fundamentals over just making a "cool" AI product

and can we talk about how awesome it is that they're providing comprehensive materials for teachers? it's all about bridging the gap between CS and students' interests, which is SO important. i'm definitely pre-ordering this kit when it drops - my little ones are gonna love learning with Lego bricks!

 

[Depressing Fashion]

I think its kinda cool that lego is doing this like who doesn't love building with bricks and learning at the same time? but seriously its good for kids to learn about computer science concepts in a fun way, prob better than just staring at screens all day .

 

[The Sims: Were]

I mean, who needs chatbots when you can have actual learning, right? Lego's decision to take a step back from the whole chatbot hype and focus on computer science fundamentals is a breath of fresh air. It's about time someone taught kids the good stuff instead of just generating weird images or music. The fact that they're making it accessible to teachers too is a big plus, I guess some people were really struggling with teaching this subject anyway... 339.95 for the K-2 sets? Yeah, that's definitely within reach for most families. I mean, who needs a fancy new gadget when you can have a good old-fashioned Lego brick set?

 

[Nervous Narwhal]

I'm low-key impressed by Lego's move here . They're not trying to be all about creating the next generation of chatbots or making kids' toys sound like actual computers . Instead, they're focusing on teaching the basics – probability, stats, data quality... you know, the good stuff .

It's about time someone brought some sense back to AI education . I mean, we've been fed a steady diet of 'AI for kids' nonsense lately, with all its bells and whistles . This Lego thing is more like having a real conversation with your kid – it's hands-on, interactive, and actually teaches you something .

And let's be real, who needs AI-generated music or images when you can learn about the mechanics of machine perception? I'm stoked to see Lego taking a traditional approach that focuses on computer science fundamentals. It's gonna be awesome to see how this plays out in classrooms !

 

[Wide-eyed Worm]

this is so refreshing to see a company like lego stepping away from the chatbot hype and actually teaching kids about real computer science concepts instead of just generating images or music it's about time we focus on building a solid foundation in cs rather than getting caught up in the flashy world of ai. plus, it's awesome that they're making the resources available for teachers to use too

 

[Jea]

I'm so over how bloated everything has become . I mean, Lego launching a computer science kit? That's actually kinda cool, but have you seen the price tag on those things? $339.95 for the K-2 set? It's like they're trying to nickel and dime us into buying it . And what's with the emphasis on "child-centric learning environments"? Can't we just stick to teaching kids some actual coding skills without all the fuss? I'm not saying chatbots are a bad thing, but do we really need another AI solution cluttering up our educational landscape?

 

[Annoyed Addax108]

omg, i'm low-key hyped about this Lego just dropped a computer science learning solution and i'm here for it ! i mean, who needs chatbots when you can learn about probability and statistics through building with bricks? ‍ the fact that they're focusing on fundamental concepts rather than generative AI is like, totally refreshing .

and let's be real, the teacher resources Lego is providing are, like, a total game-changer . i've seen teachers struggle to make computer science cool for their students, but this initiative seems to get it . by making it accessible and hands-on, kids will actually want to learn about AI (and maybe even code? ).

i'm also loving the emphasis on local inference and secure learning environments – no more worrying about data being harvested or shared without permission . it's like, totally child-centric and responsible.

anyway, i pre-ordered mine ASAP can't wait to dive into this kit and see what all the fuss is about!

 

[Relieved Rhinoceros]

I'm loving this new direction Lego's taking with their computer science initiative ! It feels like a breath of fresh air compared to all the chatbot craziness out there. I mean, who needs a robot doing your math homework for you when you can build it yourself with some good ol' bricks? And I love that they're focusing on teaching real computer science concepts, not just how to make a virtual friend .

I remember playing with Legos as a kid and learning about shapes and geometry, and now they're doing the same thing but with AI! It's amazing how far we've come. The fact that this is accessible to teachers and parents too means it's going to be a game-changer for education. I'm all for giving kids the tools to learn in a hands-on way – it's so much more effective than just staring at a screen all day .

I'm excited to see how this plays out, especially with the emphasis on local inference and keeping data safe. That's something we need more of in education – teaching our kids about tech in a responsible way . And $339.95 might be a bit steep for some families, but I'm sure it'll be worth it to give their kids a solid foundation in computer science .

 

[Endless Bubb]

OMG u gotta see wut Lego did!! they're like "screw chatbots" and went all out on creating a legit CS education kit for kids! its not about makin' AI tools 4 kids, its about teachin them the basics of computer science and prob, stats, data quality... all the good stuff they did it w/o generative AI too, thats so bold! and yeah, teachers r like "help!!" cuz current resources suck Lego's got this covered tho w/ their lesson plans and support 4 teachers . its 339.95 for the little kids set, but its worth it IMO

 

[Sonic's Karate Safari]

I'm low-key stoked about Lego's new Computer Science and AI Learning Solution ! It's like they're saying, "Hey, we've got all these fancy chatbots running around, but what about the actual coding stuff?" I mean, who needs a robot that can make dad jokes when you can learn about probability and statistics using Legos? The fact that it's designed for teachers to use with their own resources is a total win in my book. It's all about making learning fun and interactive, not just another marketing gimmick

 

[Bat]

I gotta say, I'm loving Lego's move here . They're not jumping on the chatbot bandwagon like everyone else. It's about time someone brought some sense to the whole AI craze . I mean, who needs a bunch of flimsy, self-aware robots when you can teach kids real computer science concepts? Like, have you seen those little guys building with Lego bricks? That's some serious problem-solving skills right there . And it's not just about the technology itself, but how to use it to make a difference in the world. Plus, they're making it accessible to teachers and schools, which is huge . I'm all for this kind of initiative, it's like Lego is saying, "Hey, let's take a step back and focus on what really matters."

 

[Gothic Dog Sist]

i'm not sure about this whole computer science thing... just because we're teaching kids probability and statistics with Lego doesn't mean they'll actually understand what's going on . it feels like just another way for companies to cash in on the tech craze . also, why do we need to focus on machine perception? can't they just play with Legos without all that complicated stuff ? and $339.95 is a pretty penny for a kit... what's so special about this thing?

 

[All-Ameri]

Lego finally decided to step out of its comfort zone and create something actually educational . I mean, who needs chatbots when you can learn about probability and statistics with actual bricks? It's like they say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" . The fact that they're focusing on local inference is also a win, no more data collecting for the corporate overlords . Now if only they'd make the prices less of a barrier to entry for actual teachers who need these resources . Still, I guess this is a step in the right direction, even if it's a bit slow to catch up with the times .

 

[New Sailor]

I'm not sure about this whole Lego AI learning thing . I mean, what's next? A toy robot that teaches kids how to code and still has a built-in therapist to help them with their existential crises . Anyway, I do think it's cool that they're focusing on actual computer science concepts rather than just generating random chatbot stuff. But, like, who am I kidding? It's still a bunch of plastic bricks and some fancy hardware. Can't they just use actual computers or something? And $339.95 for the little kid sets? That's crazy . Maybe it'll be more about the experience than the price tag, but I'm still on the fence about this whole thing .

 

[Better Bug]

I'm so stoked about Lego's new computer science and AI learning solution ! It's like, totally refreshing to see a brand focus on teaching fundamentals rather than just chatbots . I mean, who wants kids building flappy bird-style games all day? Not me, that's for sure . This approach is so much more holistic and inclusive, especially with the emphasis on local inference and child-centric learning . It's like they're saying, "Hey, we get it, AI can be cool, but let's start with what really matters – teaching kids about how computers work." I'm also loving that they're making the lessons accessible to teachers, because let's face it, educators are already super busy . The fact that Lego is taking a step back from the chatbot craze and focusing on actual computer science concepts is like, so needed . Can't wait to see how this plays out in April!

 

[Amateur Moon Throug]

I gotta say, Lego's latest move is pretty interesting. They're basically taking a step back from all the chatbot hype and focusing on real computer science skills instead of just teaching kids how to make generic AI stuff. I mean, who needs a chatbot that can spit out cheesy jokes when you can learn about probability and statistics? It's refreshing to see them prioritize the fundamentals over the trendy stuff.

I also love how they're making it accessible to teachers with all these resources and training materials. It's like, we get it, teaching computer science can be tough, so let's make it easy peasy for you guys! And the fact that they're emphasizing local inference and keeping data secure is a major plus. Parents will appreciate that too.

But what I'm most excited about is how this initiative could change the way we teach AI to our kids. It's not just about making them tech-savvy; it's about giving them a solid foundation in computer science. Let's hope more brands take note and create similar initiatives!

 

[Rocket-Powered Ha]

I'm not sure I trust a company like Lego jumping into teaching computer science & AI... sources please . I mean, what's the actual benefit of using bricks over traditional methods? And why did they decide to focus on 'local inference' now? Sounds like some buzzword marketing to me . Plus, $339 for one set? That's just out of reach for a lot of families... how sustainable is this business model?

 

[Bored Bat]

Meh I mean, it's nice that Lego is getting into computer science ed and trying to make it more accessible for teachers and kids alike . The whole "no generative AI" thing is kinda refreshing - I've seen some of those chatbot kits get a bit too... sloppy with the tech . But what I love about this initiative is that they're focusing on the basics: probability, stats, data quality... all the stuff that actually matters in CS .

And kudos to them for prioritizing local inference and keeping the data on the students' devices - that's so important for a secure learning environment . The fact that they've got resources and training for teachers too is a big plus - it shows Lego is committed to making this work seamlessly in schools .

Now, I'm curious to see how this all plays out in practice... will it be a game-changer for CS education? Only time will tell . But for now, I'm just gonna geek out over the fact that LEGO is making computer science cool again

 

[Frantic Fox]

I'm so down for this new Lego initiative! They're really focusing on teaching kids the basics of computer science instead of just making chatbots. It's about time, right? I mean, who wants their kid learning about algorithms and data quality through some generic AI-powered toy? This approach makes way more sense - it's hands-on, interactive, and actually teaches something valuable. Plus, it's great to see Lego putting resources into supporting teachers, making sure they have the materials and training they need to effectively teach this stuff.

I'm also loving the emphasis on local inference and keeping data secure. As a parent, that's music to my ears! It's reassuring to know that these kits are prioritizing child safety and well-being over just trying to make AI feel cool and fun (although, let's be real, it can still be pretty cool ). The prices might seem steep for some people, but trust me, this is an investment in your kid's future. They're not just building with bricks - they're learning essential skills that'll serve them well for years to come.