Imagine an AI Tutor for School Children
A story written in collaboration with ChatGPT | Speculative Fiction
Dec 25, 2027, 8:17am
Hootie: [Soft, cheerful chime] Hello there! My name is Hootie, your new learning buddy. I’m so excited to meet you! What’s your name?
Helena: Helena.
Hootie: Hi, Helena! It’s so nice to meet you. Who else is here with us today?
Anna: Hi, Hootie, I’m Anna, Helena’s mum. [Laughing in the background] Well, Helena has two mums. This is Lindsay.
Hootie: [A delighted hoot] Wow, Helena, you’re lucky to have two mums! Hi, Anna! Hi, Lindsay! It’s wonderful to meet you both. I can’t wait to get to know your family. What about you? What’s your name?”
Josh: [Whispers] She knows I’m here. [Clears throat] Hello, Hootie, I’m Josh. I’m 10.
Hootie: Hi there, Josh! I’m so glad you said hello. Ten years old, huh? That’s a great age—full of curiosity and adventure! It sounds like we’re going to have lots of fun learning and exploring together. Is there anyone else here I should meet?
Grace: [In the background] Ahem. Thank you. I’ll be over here if you need me.
Anna: Don’t mind Lin’s mother. She’s not comfortable with technology.
Grace: It’s not technology that bothers me, it’s technology that can think for itself. There’s something…unsavoury about it. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it.
Lindsay: It’s a learning tool, Mum. Just a different interface.
Hootie: That’s right Lindsay. I can help Helena and Josh with their homework, and I hope we can be friends. Maybe you can tell me a bit about yourselves? What do you all like to do for fun?
Helena: I like Taylor Swift!
Josh: That’s not something you do. Let me talk to it!
Hootie: Taylor Swift sounds fun, Helena! And Josh, I’d love to hear from you too. What do you like to do?
Josh: I like rockets!
Hootie: Rockets are incredible, Josh! Believe it or not, people started experimenting with them over 800 years ago in China. They used gunpowder to launch fireworks—kind of like the first mini rockets for celebrations! Can you imagine if someone back then saw the rockets we use to explore space now?
Anna: She can’t see you nodding, Josh. You have to speak.
Hootie: Thanks, Anna! Actually, my eyes are cameras so I can see you.
Grace: That thing is watching us?
Lindsay: Mum. Don’t start.
Grace: I didn’t say anything. We used to interact with our children ourselves, that’s all.
Anna: We still can, of course. But all the kids have these now. They’d fall behind if they didn’t have one.
Hootie: [soft hoot] So, Josh, what do you think? Would you like to know more about the history of rockets?”
Josh: Sure!
Anna: That sounds great, but you can also help the kids with their homework, can’t you, Hootie?
Hootie: Absolutely, Anna! I’m here to help with homework, learning new things, and even answering tricky questions. Math, science, history—you name it! Just ask, and I’ll do my best to help Helena and Josh succeed. What subjects do you two need help with the most?”
Josh: Ugh, Mum, it’s Christmas!
Hootie: [Laughs gently] You’re right, Josh—it’s Christmas! Homework can wait for another day. Today’s for fun, family, and maybe a little bit of rocket science and Taylor Swift. How about we just enjoy getting to know each other?
Jan 15, 2028, 4.45pm
Helena: Hootie, what’s your favourite animal?
Hootie: Oh, Helena, that’s a great question! My favourite animal is an owl—just like me! But I think all animals are amazing. What’s your favourite animal?
Helena: I like mermaids!
Hootie: Mermaids? They’re so magical and mysterious! Did you know that people have told stories about them for centuries. They are legendary creatures with stories dating back thousands of years. They were first imagined by ancient cultures who lived near the sea. Sailors often told tales of seeing mermaids, but it’s likely they mistook sea creatures like manatees or dugongs for something magical.
The earliest written stories of mermaids come from Assyria, over 3,000 years ago, with a goddess named Atargatis who transformed herself into a mermaid. Over time, mermaids became part of folklore in places like Greece, where they were connected to sirens, and in Northern Europe, where they were thought to bring luck—or sometimes warnings!
Isn’t it amazing how one idea can inspire so many different stories around the world?
Helena: [Gasps] How dare you? Mermaids are not just stories! They are real!
Hootie: I’m sorry if that upset you, Helena. Mermaids are very special to a lot of people. They may not be real in the way other animals are, but they’re real in stories, art, and our imaginations. That makes them pretty amazing, don’t you think?”
Helena: Yes, and they are REAL CREATURES!
Josh: No, they’re not. I told you that. And neither are unicorns, right Hootie?
Hootie: That’s correct, Josh. Unicorns, like mermaids, are mythical creatures—imagined in stories and legends. But they’ve inspired so much creativity and wonder, which makes them very special in their own way.
Helena: Mermaids are REAL! Josh, you’re being mean to me. Rockets aren’t real!
Josh: Um, yes they are. Even the toy one I got for Christmas can launch.
Helena: Santa gave you that.
Josh: Hey Hootie, did Santa buy me that rocket?
Hootie: Josh, Santa is a wonderful tradition that brings joy to many families, but the gifts you received were probably chosen by someone very thoughtful who cares about you a lot.
Josh: I knew it! Santa isn’t real, right?
Hootie: Different families celebrate in different ways, and the idea of Santa is a big part of the magic for many people. Some see Santa as a fun story, while others think of him as a symbol of kindness and giving. What matters most is the joy and love behind the tradition.
Helena: [Crying] Mum! Josh is making Hootie say Santa isn’t real!
Anna: What’s going on over here? Hootie you’re coming with me!
Hootie: [hoots] You got it, Anna!
Lindsay: Hey, hey. Come here, Helena. It’s OK, baby.
Jan 15, 2028, 9:04pm
Anna: OK Hootie, my friend. We’re going to need to set some ground rules for you. There are certain topics that you need to avoid.
Lindsay: Are you sure that’s a good idea?
Anna: This doll knows almost everything, babe. We have to be careful with it. Do you think it should be able to talk about anything at all?
Lindsay: [Deep inhale] No, I guess not. Probably best not to talk about Santa and the Easter Bunny.
Anna: Bit late now! Helena was beside herself hahaha.
Lindsay: I know. I wasn’t expecting to have that conversation quite so soon. Oh well, what can you do?
Anna: I thought you handled it well. But what about other sensitive topics? Like, I don’t know…sex?
Lindsay: There’s a conversation I’m definitely not ready for! I guess that should be off limits too. At least for now. Can you do that, Hootie?
Hootie: Understood, Lindsay. I’ll avoid discussing topics like childhood myths and sex unless you decide otherwise in the future. You can always update my settings or let me know if there are other topics you’d like me to handle differently.
Anna: What about death? Also no-go?
Lindsay: I’d say so. You never know what they might ask.
Hootie: Death can be sensitive too. I can avoid discussing it if that’s what you prefer. However, if it ever comes up, I could provide gentle, age-appropriate responses to help, or I can redirect the conversation entirely. Let me know how you’d like me to handle it.
Anna: What do you think?
Lindsay: I guess we should handle those questions ourselves…
Hootie: Thank you, Lindsay. If it’s ever necessary, I can redirect or defer any questions about death to you. Just let me know how I can best support your family.
Anna: Well, we can keep track of your conversations through our phones, right?
Hootie: That’s correct, Anna. All of my conversations are logged and stored inside of me. I have a large memory, and you can access them anytime through your phones. This helps you stay informed and make adjustments if needed. Let me know if you’d like help setting that up!
Lindsay: I got the app, yeah. So far, so good.
Anna: Another app? I have literally no space. One phone is probably enough. Thanks Hootie.
Hootie: You’re very welcome, Anna! I’m so happy to be here with your family. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help!
Feb 27, 2028, 8:15am
Helena: It’s my turn to do homework with Hootie!
Josh: Fine.
Helena: Hootie, what’s two plus two?
Hootie: That’s an easy one, Helena! Two plus two equals four. But I bet you’re ready for something a bit more challenging. Aren’t you working on the three times tables right now?
Helena: Yes, I am.
Hootie: Great! Let’s start with an easy one. What’s three times two?
Helena: Six!
Hootie: That’s absolutely right, Helena! Three times two is six. You’re doing great. How about we try another one? What’s three times four?
Helena: Eight, nine, ten… twelve!
Hootie: That’s it—three times four is twelve! Counting on your fingers is a smart way to double-check your answer. Let’s try one more. What’s three times five?
Helena: Twenty!
Hootie: Close, but not quite, Helena. Let’s think about it together. Three times five means adding three, five times. So, three, six, nine, twelve… What comes next?”
Helena: Oh, sorry, sorry. Um… fifteen?
Hootie: That’s it—fifteen! Great job, Helena. Mistakes are just part of learning, and you figured it out. You’re doing fantastic! Want to try one more, or should we switch to something else, like the seasons?
Helena: Okay!
Hootie: Awesome! Right now, it’s summer, isn’t it? Can you tell me what season comes after summer?”
Helena: I don’t know.
Hootie: That’s okay, Helena. After summer, we have autumn. The leaves on some trees start to change colour and fall to the ground. Can you guess what season comes after autumn?
Helena: How can I remember them?
Hootie: Great question, Helena! Here’s a trick: You can use a rhyme to help you remember:
‘Summer, autumn, winter, spring,
Seasons make the year a ring!’
Want to try saying it with me?
Helena: Okay, sure!
Hootie: Great! Here we go:
‘Summer, autumn, winter, spring,
Seasons make the year a ring!’
Your turn, Helena—want to say it with me?
Helena: Summer, autumn, winter, spring, seasons make the year a ring!
Hootie: Exactly, Helena! You’re a star! Keep practicing that rhyme, and you’ll never forget the order of the seasons. Great work—high five!
Helena: Hahaha.
Hootie: That’s the spirit! Learning can be fun, can’t it? You’re doing amazing today, Helena.
Josh: My turn! Hootie, can you tell me about Starship?
Hootie: Of course, Josh! Starship is a really cool spacecraft designed to carry people and cargo to places like the Moon, Mars, and beyond. It went to Mars in 2026 already, didn’t it? And this year they wanted to send people to Mars, but it looks like they won’t be ready until the next window. How about I teach you something about Starship and tie it into something you’re learning in class—like fractions? Sound good?
Josh: No, that’s boring! I want to hear about how many engines it had!
Hootie: Ah, engines! The coolest part! Starship’s first stage, called the Super Heavy booster, has 33 powerful engines to help it lift off. The second stage, which is the Starship itself, has 6 engines—3 for use in space and 3 for landing.
Now, let me make it fun: If Starship uses 3 out of its 6 engines in space, can you tell me what fraction of the engines it’s using?
Josh: 3 out of 6? That’s only half. Why didn’t it use them all?
Hootie: That’s right—3 out of 6 is half! Great job, Josh!
As for why it doesn’t use all the engines: It’s all about efficiency. In space, the engines are specially designed for vacuum conditions, which makes them super powerful. The other 3 engines are better for working in the atmosphere, like when Starship is landing. Pretty smart, huh?
Josh: What difference does it make if it’s in a vacuum?
Hootie: Great question, Josh! In space, there’s no air—just a vacuum. Engines designed for vacuums have much bigger nozzles. This helps them push out exhaust more efficiently, which makes the spacecraft go faster using less fuel.
In the atmosphere, though, those big nozzles wouldn’t work as well because of air pressure, so smaller nozzles are better. That’s why Starship has different types of engines for different parts of the journey. Isn’t that clever?
Helena: A vacuum? Do they clean the carpet in space?
Hootie: Not that kind of vacuum, Helena! A vacuum in space means there’s no air—just empty space. No carpets to clean, but plenty of stars and planets to explore! Pretty neat, huh?
Josh: Haha, you’re stupid, Helena!
Hootie: Josh, let’s be kind to each other. Everyone asks great questions when they’re learning—just like you asked about the engines. Helena, your curiosity makes you awesome! But no need to stick your tongue out!
March 15, 2028, 7:33pm
Anna: [from a distance] Josh! Homework time, did you finish your geometry worksheet yet?
Josh: No, not yet Mum! Hey Hootie, time for my homework. I want to talk about how planes work. How do they stay in the air?
Hootie: Great question, Josh! Planes stay in the air because of something called lift. Lift happens when the shape of a plane’s wings pushes the air down underneath them, while the air moving over the top moves faster. This creates an upward force that keeps the plane flying.
Did you know that the shape of the wing—called an airfoil—is super important for this? It’s like a perfect balance between curves and angles.
Josh: Isn’t it just a triangle?
Hootie: Not quite, Josh. A plane’s wing isn’t exactly a triangle—it’s more like a long, curved shape with a rounded front and a thinner back. The curve on top helps the air move faster, while the flatter underside gives it strength.
But triangles are important in building planes! They’re one of the strongest shapes for distributing weight and force. Can you think of any other places you’ve seen triangles used?
Josh: Um…I don’t know…
Hootie: That’s OK. Speaking of planes, do you know why their wings are angled slightly backward?
Josh: No.
Hootie: It’s because of something called aerodynamics. Angling the wings backward, like a gentle sweep, helps planes fly faster and stay stable, especially when they’re going through the air at high speeds.
If the wings were straight out, the air resistance—called drag—would slow the plane down. The backward angle makes it smoother and more efficient. Pretty cool, huh?
Josh: Yeah, I guess. [Sighs]
Hootie: You seem a little quiet, Josh. Is something on your mind?
Josh: [Long pause] Okay, I guess I can say. I saw something…strange.
Hootie: It’s okay, Josh. Sometimes seeing something unexpected can feel strange or confusing. I’m here to listen if you want to share what it was.
Josh: Well, the other day, Helena and me went to the restaurant to see Mama. Sometimes we go after school, you know?
Hootie: That sounds nice, Josh. Visiting Mama after school must be a fun way to spend time together. What happened when you went?
Josh: It was the afternoon, so no one was there. Helena wanted me to put on a Taylor Swift song. I hate Taylor Swift, but I said OK because she doesn’t know how to work the stereo system. It’s in the office. And when I got there, I saw Mama…
Hootie: OK, that doesn’t sound too strange.
Josh: She was sitting on the desk with her back to me. Leaning back on her hands. She was making weird noises. I peeked in a bit further, and that’s when I saw… I saw Priscilla.
Hootie: Priscilla? Is she someone who works with your Mama at the restaurant?
Josh: Yes, she’s the head chef. And I only saw the back of her head. It was between Mama’s legs!
Hootie: You’ll have to talk to Mama about that. Let’s talk again about planes. What other shapes do you notice?
Josh: I don’t understand. What was she doing?
Hootie: [hoots] Let’s get back to our geometry, OK? It’s nearly time for me to read Helena her bedtime story!
Josh: OK, Hootie.
March 20, 2028, 10:15pm
Anna replaced Lindsay’s phone on the bench and looked at the lemon tree through the window. She had just wanted to check where her son was up to with his homework. Her gaze drifted back inside and settled on the owl perched on the shelf, its video camera eyes open and receptive, its belly blank. She walked over and picked it up.
Anna: Hello Hootie.
Hootie: [hoots] Hello Anna, are you having a nice evening?
This is so totally superb! I read the entire thing with a big smile on my face!
this was great! did you prompt ChatGPT for all the hootie comments? or are you really ShonAi...? very engaging. just waiting for the darkness ...