Why, what, and how to use AI to assist parenting: Introducing the HEAT model

Abstract Parenting is a fundamental yet challenging task that influences children's development profoundly. Traditional forms of parental support, such as parenting training programs, provide valuable assistance but often fall short in accessibility, personalization, and interactivity, leaving many diverse families underserved. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer promising ideas but also raise significant concerns. In this article, I leverage insights from developmental science and research on human–computer interaction to discuss three key questions: (1) Why should AI be used to assist with parenting? (2) What do we know about AI-assisted parenting? (3) How should AI-assisted tools be designed responsibly and effectively to support parenting? In addressing the third question, I introduce the HEAT model, which features components of human-centeredness, equality, accuracy, and trust, and is a design and evaluation framework that offers guidance on the ethical development and application of AI in parenting contexts. Ultimately, I suggest that for AI to truly benefit families, AI tools must be ethically responsible, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate.