Raising kids in the age of AI

AI has quickly woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, from how we work to how our kids play and learn. As parents, we’re now faced with big questions about what skills our kids will need most in a world that’s evolving at record speed.

In this newsletter, we’ll explore:

• How AI is changing the way kids approach learning and creativity

• The timeless, human-centered skills that will serve our kids best in the future

A new kind of learning curve

I still remember watching my parents put together our first Compaq computer—a bulky, humming machine that seemed both magical and intimidating.

Now, as a parent myself, I’m in that same position but with AI. Just last week, my kids were coming up with names for our new puppy. But instead of using a pencil and paper, they grabbed my phone and asked ChatGPT for suggestions. Their criteria? Something that felt like us, a name inspired by San Diego or our love for food.

We landed on Mochi. It felt perfect, almost like our family’s personality distilled into a single word. But it also got me thinking:

Are my kids missing out on the joy of figuring things out on their own? Are they getting too dependent on AI—or are they learning new skills I never had?

What’s changing for our kids

Today, kids are navigating a landscape of constant technological change that impacts them not only today, but also in the future. To elaborate, a bit more:

1. A World of “Level” Skills
In school, most of us had a couple of strengths—maybe you were a math whiz or a grammar ace. Today, however, AI can help everyone look like an expert in almost any hard skill. Math problems, essays, design projects…all accessible with the help of a digital companion. In fact, a recent survey by Junior Achievement found that nearly 60% of teens are already using AI for schoolwork, and many rely on it for more than one subject.

2. The Turbo-Speed of Change
For perspective, consider that AI as we know it is barely two years old. Our kids are growing up in a world where “normal” changes by the day. Last year, AI could only chat; today, it creates art, writes music, and even builds websites. Imagine how different things might look in another decade—our kids’ adaptability will be their biggest asset.

3. The Rise of Brand-New Jobs
Ask a kid today what they want to be when they grow up, and you might still hear the classics: doctor, lawyer, teacher. But in just a few years, we might hear new answers like “AI collaborator” or “robotic guide.” Our kids’ generation will enter jobs we haven’t even imagined. And as parents, we’re in this journey together, adapting and learning as quickly as they do.

Ancient skills, modern value

Thinking about this, I realized something surprising: the skills my kids will need most to navigate an AI world aren’t new. In fact, they go back to the dawn of humanity.

Here’s what I believe our kids need to be focusing on—skills that will still matter, no matter how high-tech their future becomes:

• Adaptability
  Past: Early humans constantly adapted to unpredictable climates and environments to survive.
  Future: Kids who can stay flexible and take change in stride will be unstoppable in a world that evolves by the minute.

• Social Connection
  Past: People depended on tight-knit groups and alliances for survival. They learned to collaborate, negotiate, and care for each other.
  Future: The same skills will be essential as our kids learn to work with both humans and machines. Empathy and collaboration will always set them apart.

• Real-World Skills
  Past: Skills like tool-making and resourcefulness kept early humans resilient and confident.
  Future: Real-world, hands-on skills—from building and crafting to cooking and gardening—ground kids, build patience, and teach practical problem-solving.

• Creativity
  Past: From early art to inventions, creativity was a cornerstone of human progress.
  Future: AI can assist, but it can’t replace human imagination. Kids who learn to think outside the box will have a crucial edge.

• Connection to Nature
  Past: Early humans respected the land that sustained them.
  Future: Today’s kids, surrounded by screens, can benefit immensely from time outdoors, developing a sense of peace and resilience that balances their tech-driven lives.

Our role as parents

In a world where technology often seems to outpace us, we have a simple but essential job: to help our kids develop timeless, human skills that AI can never replicate.

Let’s teach our kids to value and nurture the things that make them uniquely human. Whether it’s through encouraging creativity, building resilience, or fostering meaningful connections, these skills are what will set them apart. Because in the end, no matter how advanced technology becomes, our humanity remains our greatest strength.