Artificial intelligence, or AI, went from a science-fiction trope to a pervasive phenomenon found in people’s daily lives in the blink of an eye. And while this new, digital-based intelligence may be artificial, the impact it can have on developing brains is very real.

That’s why the American Psychological Association recently issued a report calling for education on the potential dangers of AI and for guardrails to be put into place. The report focuses on young people, ages 10 to 25, and points out that while AI offers exciting new opportunities and efficiencies, its impact on adolescents is nuanced and complex.

The report compares the realm of emerging AI to social media, stating that neither are inherently good nor bad. But proper safeguards were not in place to protect adolescents during the early days of social media, and the APA believes there is an opportunity to avoid making the same mistakes with AI.

The report recommends that adolescents be taught how to maintain healthy boundaries with AI bots, which often simulate real human relationships. It also calls for privacy settings, including age-appropriate limits on the types of interactions young people can have within AI platforms. This includes protecting adolescents from harmful and inaccurate content.

The report also states the importance of protecting young people’s data and likenesses, including limiting the use of targeted data for advertising purposes.

Overall, education is key for all involved. The development of AI offers a world of new possibilities, but it’s important to remember that it is, well, artificial, and humans should play a very real role in shaping this new technology.