AI Predicts Students at Risk of Bullying in Japan

August 20, 2024

Toda city in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, has trialed an AI-based prediction system to identify students at risk of school refusal due to anxiety, bullying or other reasons. The system analyzes student data such as attendance, academic achievement and health conditions, as well as records of visits to the school nurse and bullying reports. It color-codes the probability figures for each student, ranging from “red” to “yellow”, and concluded that 1,193 students were at high risk during a trial run at 18 primary and junior high schools. Based on the outcome, teachers judged that 265 of these students needed priority assistance. The education board established rules to safeguard personal data and prevent discriminatory treatment of students, and informed parents about their right to opt out of the project.