Mom Uses AI as 'Babysitter' and Homework Tutor, Citing Time-Saving Benefits

A Sydney-based mother and CEO of an AI consultancy business has shared her unconventional approach to parenting: using artificial intelligence as a virtual assistant and tutor for her four children. Dr. Nici Sweaney explained that by offloading certain responsibilities to AI, she has freed up time and energy, allowing her to be more present with her family and reduce her work hours to under 25 per week.

Sweaney, who has children aged between five and 12, utilizes AI for a range of domestic and educational tasks. These include planning family meals, generating grocery lists, and ensuring adherence to a budget, which she reports has been consistently met within a $5 margin.

AI as an Educational Tool

For academic support, Sweaney has employed AI as a personalized tutor. She described how her second eldest daughter, who was struggling with mathematics, benefited from a system where ChatGPT provided daily lessons and escalating challenges based on her performance. This method helped the daughter improve from a "working towards" level to a consistent performance level within a year.

Facilitating Emotional Processing

Beyond academics, Sweaney has found AI to be a valuable tool for helping her children navigate social and emotional challenges. When dealing with complex issues like friendship drama, she sets up AI conversations designed to prompt her daughter to process her feelings. Sweaney noted that her daughter often shares more with the AI than she does with her directly. After these interactions, Sweaney reviews the transcripts to stay informed and ensure her daughter feels a sense of autonomy.

One AI-guided piece of advice to her daughter read: "It’s not your responsibility to fix everybody else’s drama, and you’re allowed to disengage."

The AI system is reportedly capable of recognizing and adapting its communication style to suit each of the four children individually, responding in real time and offering encouragement.

Safety and Parental Guidance

Sweaney emphasized the importance of implementing "parenting behind-the-scenes" safeguards when using AI with children. She provides explicit guidelines to the AI regarding the children's age and appropriate behavior, particularly avoiding sensitive topics like body image, depression, or anxiety. In such cases, the AI is programmed to instruct the child to speak with a parent.

She advises parents considering similar approaches to invest time in setting up the AI properly and to understand how to mitigate potential risks. This includes monitoring the children's interactions with the AI to rectify any issues that may arise.