Analysis of stories submitted to this year's BBC 500 Words writing competition by Oxford University Press reveals a significant 50% increase in mentions of artificial intelligence (AI) compared to the previous year. Children are increasingly personifying AI, with ChatGPT appearing as characters or narrators, and exploring themes of AI versus humans. Alongside these technological narratives, there's a growing concern among young writers about excessive phone usage. Experts suggest these trends indicate children's developing self-awareness regarding the benefits and risks of AI and digital technology, highlighting the need for educational support on safe and appropriate use, critical thinking, and data privacy.