A Thoughtful Approach to Artificial Intelligence
My Perspective on AI and Technological Change
I am a history-minded person. When I consider the rapid development of artificial intelligence, I cannot help but see parallels with earlier technological changes: the introduction of electricity, the rise of the internet, the development of digital photography and Photoshop, and countless other innovations that transformed how people live and work.
History reminds us that technological change has rarely been universally welcomed. New technologies bring extraordinary opportunities, but also legitimate concerns, unintended consequences, and difficult questions about how they should be used. Resistance to change is part of human nature, and I respect that. Many of the concerns people raise about artificial intelligence deserve serious consideration.
At the same time, I do not believe that avoiding a technology is necessarily the best answer. I believe we have a responsibility to understand it, evaluate its limitations, and learn how to use it thoughtfully and ethically.
Artificial intelligence has entered our daily lives with remarkable speed. It is increasingly integrated into familiar tools, from design platforms like Canva to email services, search engines, and productivity software. Many people encounter AI-assisted features without necessarily realizing it. The institutions, businesses, and organizations we interact with every day are also adopting these technologies in ways that are not always visible to the public.
As educators and citizens, I believe we have a particular responsibility to understand these developments. How can we fulfill our responsibility to prepare our children if we refuse to engage with the technology that will play a significant role in their lives upon graduation? I believe we must enter this new realm with courage, bringing the wisdom and life experience necessary to help shape the ethical boundaries and safeguards it needs. We should ask difficult questions, recognize potential harms, encourage transparency, and promote responsible uses of technology. We should also be willing to exercise good judgment as we explore its possibilities, rather than allowing fear of change to determine our choices.
My goal is not to embrace technology uncritically, nor to reject it out of fear. It is to approach it with curiosity, discernment, humility, and a commitment to responsible use.
Navigating the Waters
Kindred Thicket is largely a one-person endeavor. As a homeschooling mother, I have limited time and resources, but an abundance of ideas for making literature, history, art, and other subjects more accessible to families.
I use technology to help turn those ideas into resources, allowing me to devote more of my limited time to the educational decisions that matter most: selecting meaningful content, researching subjects, developing resources, recording audio in my own voice, and considering how best to support the families who use them.
Illustrations
Kindred Thicket uses a combination of historical artwork, photography, public-domain images, and AI-generated illustrations.
Finding suitable illustrations for historical and educational materials can be surprisingly difficult. Sometimes usable images simply do not exist. In other cases, public-domain artwork reflects outdated stereotypes or depicts people and cultures in ways that are inconsistent with current historical research, particularly regarding dress, appearance, and cultural representation.
AI illustration allows me to develop visual materials informed by historical research, better represent the people and places studied, and establish a cohesive visual identity across Kindred Thicket’s branding, lessons, and educational resources. Where suitable historical images are unavailable, AI offers a way to provide thoughtful, historically informed visual representations that support understanding and imagination.
I believe thoughtful use of AI begins well before an image is generated. Historical research, careful planning, and deliberate artistic choices guide the development of illustrations that are intended to serve as elements of larger creative and educational works. In some cases, original sketches may be used to guide the composition of a piece before AI rendering. The resulting illustrations are then incorporated into video lessons, character cards, coloring pages, thumbnails, and printable activities. This intentional reuse creates continuity for ease of use by recognition, strengthens Kindred Thicket’s visual identity, and conserves resources by limiting the need for additional AI generation.
AI-generated illustrations are modern interpretations, not historical documents. They are not intended to replace photographs or primary sources, which remain valuable parts of historical study.
Virtual Presenter
Kindred Thicket’s video lessons are produced primarily using traditional methods. I record the narration in my own voice or incorporate public-domain recordings, prepare the accompanying slides, and assemble the finished videos using video-editing software.
Where AI assists my efforts is through my virtual presenter, Miss Thicket, who appears in many videos at the beginning and end, animated to my own recorded voice. She provides a consistent, familiar structure for the lessons without the distractions and inconsistencies that can accompany home video recording.
The virtual presenter is simply a means of delivering the lesson. The educational planning, resource selection, and editorial decisions remain my own.
An Evolving Approach
AI technology is developing rapidly, and my own practices have evolved as I have learned more about its capabilities and limitations. I expect they will continue to change.
As Kindred Thicket grows, I continually seek ways to use these tools thoughtfully, responsibly, and with appropriate human oversight. I am especially mindful of the care required when presenting historical information, depicting people and cultures, and creating materials.
I recognize that I will make mistakes along the way, just as people navigating earlier technological transformations did. My responsibility is to remain open to learning, recognize problems when they arise, and improve my practices accordingly.
Throughout these changes, the purpose of Kindred Thicket remains the same: to help families bring rich literature, history, art, and other meaningful subjects into their homes through thoughtful, accessible educational resources.
I believe the best response to emerging technology is neither unquestioning enthusiasm nor fear, but informed, responsible engagement.
Sarah, creator of Kindred Thicket