ChatGPT, AI chatbots, and the growing world of artificial intelligence: it’s another conversation parents may not have planned on having with their kids.

A new Harvard study found that half of all young adults have already used AI, and younger kids are quickly joining in.

Karl Ernsberger, a former high school teacher turned AI entrepreneur, says that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“It is here to stay. It’s like people trying to resist the Industrial Revolution,” Ernsberger said.

Ernsberger believes tools like chatbots can be powerful for learning, but only if kids and parents know the limits.

One example is “Rudi the Red Panda,” a virtual character available for free in kids mode on X’s Grok AI. When asked, Rudi can even answer questions about Arizona history.

“The five C’s of Arizona are Copper, Cotton, Cattle, Citrus, Climate,” Rudi said.

But Ernsberger warns that children may struggle to understand that Rudi isn’t real, and that “friendship” with a chatbot is different from human connection.

“It’s hard for the student to actually develop a real friendship,” he said. “They get confused by that because friendship is something they continue to learn about as they get older.”

When asked if Rudi was really my best friend, it replied: “I’m as real as a red panda can be in your imagination. I’m here to be your best friend.”

That, Ernsberger says, is where parents need to step in.

For families trying to keep kids safe while exploring AI, Ernsberger’s first recommendation is simple.

“Use it yourself. There are so many use cases, so many different things that can be done with AI. Just finding a familiarity with it can help you find the weaknesses for your case, and its weaknesses for your kids.”

Then he says if your child is using AI, be there with them to watch over and keep the human connection.

“The key thing with AI is it’s challenging our ability to connect with each other, that’s a different kind of challenge to society than any other tool we’ve built in the past,” Ernsberger said.

Regulators are paying attention, too.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, along with 43 other state attorneys general, recently sent a letter to 12 AI companies, including the maker of Rudi, demanding stronger safeguards to protect young users.

Spain records higher adoption of Artificial Intelligence – AI in vacation planning than the European average, according to the 2025 Europ Assistance-Ipsos barometer.

The study finds that 20% of Spanish travelers have used AI-based tools to organize or book their holidays, compared with 16% across Europe.

The research highlights Spain as one of the leading countries in integrating digital tools into travel planning. AI applications are most commonly used for accommodation searches, destination information, and itinerary planning, indicating a shift in how tourists prepare for trips.

Growing Use of AI in Travel

According to the survey, 48% of Spanish travelers using AI rely on it for accommodation recommendations, while 47% use it for information about destinations. Another 37% turn to AI tools for help creating itineraries. The technology is also used for finding activities (33%) and booking platform recommendations (26%).

Looking ahead, the interest in AI continues to grow. The report shows that 26% of Spanish respondents plan to use AI in future travel planning, compared with 21% of Europeans overall. However, 39% of Spanish participants remain undecided about whether they will adopt such tools.

Comparison with European Trends

The survey indicates that Spanish travelers are more proactive than the European average in experimenting with AI for holidays. While adoption is not yet universal, Spain’s figures consistently exceed continental averages, underscoring the country’s readiness to embrace new technologies in tourism.

In Europe as a whole, AI is beginning to make inroads into vacation planning but at a slower pace. The 2025 Europ Assistance-Ipsos barometer suggests that cultural attitudes and awareness of technological solutions may play a role in shaping adoption levels across different countries.

Changing Travel Behaviors

The findings suggest a gradual transformation in how trips are organized. Traditional methods such as guidebooks and personal recommendations are being complemented—and in some cases replaced—by AI-driven suggestions. From streamlining searches for accommodation to tailoring activity options, digital tools are expanding their influence on the traveler experience.

While Spain shows higher-than-average adoption rates, the survey also reflects caution. A significant portion of travelers remain unsure about whether they will use AI in the future, highlighting that trust, familiarity, and data privacy considerations continue to influence behavior.

The Europ Assistance-Ipsos barometer confirms that Spain is emerging as a frontrunner in adopting AI for travel planning, reflecting both a strong appetite for digital solutions and an evolving approach to how holidays are designed and booked.

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