Many people use Generative AI like it is a search engine, rather than a tool to solve problems in a conversation. It is critical that kids learn to converse and collaborate with Generative AI to solve problems. This activity introduces kids to the concept of using Generative AI to refine content in a conversation through multiple prompts. Kids will engage in a conversation with Generative AI to create fun and wacky recipes iteratively, where they use multiple prompts to refine what the AI says. The aim is to encourage kids to have a back and forth conversation with AI in order to jointly solve a problem over a series of steps. Most real-world problems require more than one prompt to solve the problem well -- you prompt, see what the AI says, and then adapt with a follow-up prompt.

We want to teach kids to avoid using generative AI like Internet search, and instead, use it to solve problems through a conversation.

Materials Needed

• Access to ChatGPT or another generative AI
• A device for recording recipes (notebook, tablet, etc.)
• Pantry items or images of various ingredients

Steps

Introduce the Activity:

• Explain the Activity: Discuss what a recipe is and the basics of how recipes are created. Explain that today, they will be creating funny, crazy, and experimental recipes with the assistance of Generative AI, which will help them come up with unique combinations of ingredients. They will have to have a back and forth conversation with AI to create the really crazy recipes.
• Safety Note: Emphasize the importance of checking with an adult before trying to make any of the recipes for real.

Build a Virtual Pantry:

• Virtually Gather Ingredients: Encourage kids to pick a variety of ingredients either from looking in a real pantry or using images of different food items. Aim for a mix of common and unusual items to make the activity more interesting. Build a "virtual pantry" of the ingredients that are going to be used.

Converse with AI:

• Initial Prompt: Begin the conversation with AI by describing what is in the "virtual pantry" and asking it to create a recipe. For example, "Create a recipe using chocolate, pickles, and spaghetti."
• Follow-up Prompts: Make the recipes crazier and crazier by introducing new requirements. "Now, add to that recipe for a cake so that the cake is 10 feet tall and covered in red beans."
• Sample Conversation:
  • Your prompt: "Create a recipe using chocolate, pickles, and spaghetti."
  • AI: ...creates a recipe for a cake...
  • Your follow-up prompt: "Now, add to that recipe for a cake so that the cake is 10 feet tall and covered in red beans."
  • AI: ...adds to its recipe...
  • Your follow-up prompt: "Add honey and broccoli to the recipe."
  • AI: ...adds to its recipe...
  • Your follow-up prompt: "Oh no, I am out of flour, change the recipe so that it works without flour."
  • Ai: ...adapts its recipe...
• Go back and forth with the kids asking: "How can we make this recipe even crazier?!"
• Encourage kids to come up with ways of changing the recipe to achieve different goals by adding prompts.
  • Sample Follow-up Prompts:
    • "How could we make this recipe healthier."
    • "How could we make this recipe cheaper?"
    • "How could we make this recipe more savory?"
    • "Make this recipe inspired by Tex-Mex!"
• Don't stop. Have LONG conversations.

Tell AI to Add Its Ideas:

• Unexpected Ingredients: Prompt the AI to "come up with an unexpected ingredient that could be added that would complement the existing ingredients, explain how, and then create three even crazier recipe ideas."

Prompt for What We Need to Buy:

• At the end of the conversation, prompt for the list of ingredients to buy to make the recipe.
  • Prompt:
    • "Create a complete list of the items that we need to buy at the grocery store to make this recipe."
• Analyze the grocery list.
  • Did it remember everything?
  • Did it make up something that wasn't there originally (give kids points for spotting things it tried to sneak in)?
  • Help remind it of anything that it forgot.

Verification Process:

• Realism Check: Once the recipe is complete, discuss with the kids whether the recipe sounds like something that could actually be made and how it might taste.
• Adult Supervision: If it seems safe and they're interested, consider trying a small portion of the recipe under adult supervision.

Interactive Discussion:

• Explore Uses of AI in Cooking: Discuss how AI can help come up with new food ideas and recipes. Ask how this might be useful for creative cooking or solving food-related problems.
• Limitations Discussion: Talk about the importance of thinking critically about the AI’s suggestions, especially when it comes to food safety and practical cooking.

Really Important!!!

The MOST important thing is that kids learn to have conversations with AI, rather than use it like Internet search. Conversations help to engage our thinking. Conversations allow us to think and solve problems iteratively. Work hard to emphasize that we don't want to ask questions and get answers, we want to talk through problems together and brainstorm.

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