Parenting in the Age of AI
There's a new kid in school. His name is AI. And he's going to beat up your kid and steal his lunch if you don't make friends. Right away.
There are two types of parents right now:
1. Those who realize the cataclysmic effect AI is about to have on their kids.
2. Those who are about to realize the cataclysmic effect AI is about to have on their kids.
Note: there is no 3rd option of “parents for whom AI will NOT have a cataclysmic effect on their kids.”
Listen, I’m not a “sky is falling” guy. And I’m also not a “jump on the latest trend” guy. (I had a Google phone until last year, people!)
But I am a “talk to hundreds of people a month and consume endless writings and audio about the world around us” guy.
And I’m telling you, AI is about to rock us to the core.
As a parent of three (19, 17, and 13), I’ll go ahead and say this: if you are not thinking about this topic, you are not preparing your kids. And you’re being a crappy parent. There, I said it.
Now, let’s dive in. Here’s how you may want to approach AI when it comes to kids of varying ages.
Elementary-School Age: Don’t Let AI Neuter Their Ability to Think
Students from 5 to 13 need to be exposed to AI, but very slowly. It needs to be talked about as a tool, neither good nor bad. If you talk about AI like it’s fentanyl, you will 100% be harming your kid’s future prospects of success in the world. It is not a fad. It is the operating system upon which our world will run by 2030.
The best way to introduce your kids to AI is through the exceptional new “learning modes” that ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and others have rolled out. These models are like having the smartest tutors sitting beside you and your kids as you work through problems together. They do not give answers; they ask questions to help guide you towards an answer. They are Socratic in their approach. And they work.
What you want to avoid is your kid using AI to solve complex problems. Solving complicated problems is the ONLY way kids develop intelligence. Rob them of this and you’ll end up with miniature Katy Parrys running around your house. Therefore, ensure AI is used as a coach, not as a substitute for human intelligence. Keep an eye on this. Like, every day.
High School: Use AI for Good, Not Evil
Once your child is in high school, it’s time to pivot AI from simply a tutor to a trusted co-creator and partner. These formative years will lay the foundation for AI that they’ll build upon for years to come, so encourage it.
I’d recommend slowly guiding your teen to use AI beyond simple academic use cases. Searching for a part-time job? How can AI help? Beginning your college search? Deep research and Google LLM can be their best friend. Can’t figure out what they “want to do the rest of their life?” Having an AI act as a career coach and ask probing questions is a great approach.
The goal here is to ensure your teen is “fluent in AI” by the time they reach their senior year. I’d take this skill set as seriously as writing, mathematics, the ability to hold intelligent conversations with adults, public speaking, and the like. In fact, I might place AI far above some of those in terms of its usefulness in the years to come.
College: Survival of the Fittest (Everyone Else Will Live on Universal Basic Income)
College and early career are going to become a bloodbath. Quickly. I can already see it with my son and his contemporaries. The divide between students who harness AI tools in their career development and job search and those who don’t is going to be insurmountably wide.
And not to scare you, but let’s add a little bit more fuel to this parental worry: recent U.S. data shows that among recent college graduates, the unemployment rate is hovering around 5.3 %. Additionally, over 41% are underemployed (i.e., working in jobs below their qualification level).
Furthermore, nearly 52% of graduates are still underemployed one year after completing their education, and 45% remain underemployed even ten years later.
Translation: Finding reliable, well-matched entry-level work is becoming increasingly difficult. Only those who possess a rare combination of strong skills, adaptability, and a bit of luck may secure a good match straight out of school. The rest will be pulling shots of espresso for a long time.
And here’s why AI skills in job search are so critical, and why not learning how to play this game is akin to giving up: Applicants are using AI to find job opportunities and apply at an astronomical pace. In response, employers are using AI to screen applicants. Humans are not even part of this initial stage. Then, once the AIs “duke it out,” virtual interviews are scheduled. Then, perhaps, the first in-person connection.
But, here’s the deal: without practical AI skills, an applicant will never reach the “human stage.” They’ll be left on the side of the unemployment road.
Wrap Up
I realize this sounds a bit “ranty.” And the fact that I’m writing this after 12 hours of travel and being battered by Southwest for the entire day is not helping the tone!
Alas, I think this is a serious topic that is being overlooked and even dismissed.
So, consider yourself warned, parents!
Thanks for reading this post. I appreciate you. In return, please share this with those you know who may be interested.
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