Wise Anyomi: AI Shouldn’t Keep Children From Building Real-World Relationships

The forum focuses on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital sovereignty and narrowing the technology gap between countries. Wise Anyomi, director of communications, spoke to the IT Russia media platform about prospects for digital cooperation between Russia and Ghana and the risks of children becoming too absorbed in AI.

– This is my second time attending the Global Digital Forum. Last year, I was in Nizhny Novgorod, and I came away with a very positive impression. My participation was unexpected then, but this year I made a point of shaping my schedule around my own goals. I enjoy both the business program and the activities focused on broader personal development.

I see opportunities here to further develop the digital partnership between Russia and Ghana.

The most important thing I’m taking home from the forum is information about Russia that I can share in Ghana. People in my country often have a distorted view of Russia. That’s partly because Western media portray the country in a way that differs from what I see here firsthand. The information is not just inaccurate; it prevents people from discovering what Russia is really like. When I return to Ghana, I’ll be able to say, ‘Look how appealing Russia is! There’s so much useful and interesting here. And most importantly, Russia welcomes you.’ I’ll encourage people to come and see for themselves.

Of all the topics discussed at the forum, the presentation on the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on the younger generation, particularly children’s education, stood out to me most. Children spend a lot of time interacting with AI, leaving them fewer opportunities to express emotions and learn how to build relationships in the real world.

That’s why it’s important not to let children become constantly immersed in interactions with artificial intelligence. They need opportunities to communicate with people, express their emotions and develop the social skills they’ll use in everyday life. I agree that artificial intelligence is the future. But it was created to help us, including children, grow and learn.

At the same time, AI shouldn’t disconnect children from the real world or replace face-to-face interaction. Today, we spend a lot of time online and interacting with artificial intelligence, but it’s important to remember that our emotions and behavior are shaped by real-world experiences. We need to maintain a clear boundary between the digital space and the real world.