How to Raise Children in the Age of AI

In a world where Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the future, what is in store for our children?

Do you know what dreams they will soon have and what opportunities will open up?

How can we today help them navigate and find their way in this new world?

Can we build a strong foundation of knowledge today to help them move forward with confidence and adapt easily to any changes?

What are the key skills to develop to make learning both easier and more fun?

I’ve been reflecting on these questions quite a bit, drawing from my extensive involvement with progressive education and being a mother to a 13-year-old girl. I’d like to offer some insights. These may appear slightly divergent from the mainstream dialogue on this topic, yet I believe they hold the potential to contribute meaningfully.

What terrible times we live in!

“The world is going through turbulent times. Today’s youth think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are intolerant of any restrictions. They talk as if they know everything, and what is considered wisdom to us is foolishness to them. As for the girls, they are inconsiderate, immodest, and ugly in speech, behavior, and dress,” wrote Peter the Hermit in the 12th century.

Truly, nothing is new under the sun. Consider this quote; it sounds like it could be from today’s news: “Never have young people been exposed to such dangers of perversion and arrest as in our day. Growing city life, with its temptations, its prematurity, its sedentary occupations and passive stimuli just when active life is most needed, its early emancipation and its weakening sense of duty and discipline…” — yet it was written in the magazine The Psychology of Adolescence by Granville Stanley Hall back in 1904.

Sarcasm aside, with the advent of generative AI, our times might well turn out to be very different from any previous era of disruption. In an era marked by accelerating supercomplexity, the ethical and social implications of AI that we will soon face, alongside the global interconnectedness of all processes, and the rise in conflicts and authoritarianism/right-wing bias, create a unique situation unlike any we have encountered before.

And what about our children? Their situation is truly unprecedented, reflecting a stark contrast to any previous era in history.

In the past, particularly before the twentieth century, children and adolescents were integrated into the social structure differently. Child labor was common, with children as young as five or six participating in work. By the age of 14, many were apprentices, learning trades and skills directly under the tutelage of masters in various fields. Family roles were clearly defined, and often entering into marriage and adulthood by the ages of 13 to 14 was the norm (especially for girls), signifying a transition into full societal responsibilities.

In the 21st century, the environment for children and teenagers has transformed dramatically. They are now immersed in an extraordinary level of visual and informational content, leading to hyperstimulation by novelty. Moreover, gamification has become a prevalent approach to engagement, affecting everything from education to personal development.

This era is also experiencing a rise in neurodivergence among the youth. The neurodivergence phenomenon is especially intriguing, not only because of its rapid global increase but also because of its distinct characteristics and benefits for business and society.

Neurodivergence, covering conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, represents 15–20% of global diversity, with its prevalence increasing. Individuals who are neurodivergent are notably more common in STEM and creative fields, contributing unique strengths that bolster productivity and innovation. No wonder, big companies like SAP, Microsoft, and JPMorgan Chase are interested in what neurodivergent people can bring to work. They see the value in their unique skills.

At the same time, we are witnessing an unprecedented increase in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders, especially among teens.

However, even though childhood and youth setups are becoming more complicated and complex, they are simultaneously becoming more fascinating. Raised more consciously than ever before in history (remember, childhood was not recognized as a distinct phase until the 18th century), children today exhibit remarkable characteristics.

The Multifaceted Identity of Generation Z

Gen Z (ages 13–27) are digital technology adopters, using technology not only for communication but also for learning, shopping, and entertainment. They value authenticity, preferring genuine connections and quickly dismissing what they see as insincere. This generation is socially conscious, caring deeply about issues like climate change, mental health, and social justice, and they often advocate for change in these areas. They are entrepreneurial and independent, with a strong orientation towards education and career. Highly educated and career-focused, they value practical skills and may pursue non-traditional educational paths to acquire them.

“Zoomers” (members of Generation Z), for example, have moved away from tight-fitting jeans, indicating just one of their distinct differences from previous generations. They consider the use of crying-laughing emojis for expressing laughter as inappropriate and even odd. Yet, an unexpected twist in the narrative of Generation Z emerges: a penchant for reading. Notably, it’s physical books, not digital ones, that they prefer to read through.

Generation Alpha’s Trendsetting Trajectory

Gen Alpha (ages 0–13) is growing up in an environment that’s even more technologically integrated and socially conscious than that of their predecessors. Their upbringing and characteristics are being closely observed by researchers and marketers.

My daughter, who is now 13, compiled a list of current trending topics based on her observations: Gen Alpha kids are engaged in watching or creating videos on topics like Skibidi, football, Fortnite, Roblox, rap, pop music, makeup, skincare, money, video games, and phones. Does the idea of a 6-year-old practicing skincare alarm you? Perhaps. But let’s wait and see what they grow into; it might still surprise us.

AI Challenges Us to Be Our Best Selves

I believe, we shall trust them more, since children who have not experienced any analog (non-digitalized) times — are naturally better prepared for the age of AI. But wait, is there anything we can support them with?

The AI era is set to transform work, creativity, and even aspects of personal relationships we once thought were unique to humans. As AI takes over routine jobs and ushers in a new “creativity economy,” it opens the door to unusual possibilities like romantic relationships with robots. New professions, directly linked to AI, will surface, including AI ethicists, human-AI interaction designers, AI-assisted medical technicians, quantum machine learning specialists, autonomous vehicle infrastructure engineers, curators of AI-generated content, digital identity defenders, and many more, likely even more exotic ones. How will all that impact society and each of us invididually?

I assume AI will compel us to become the best versions of ourselves. As AI replaces tasks we thought only humans could do, it pushes us to redefine our uniqueness and excel where true talent shines. Already today, ChatGPT demonstrates a higher level of creativity than the average human. What will happen tomorrow when AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) is achieved, as expected? We don’t know. But one thing is certain — we must do our best and prepare our children for finding ways to coexist with an intellect that will surpass ours.

Today, after about 1.5 years of actively working with ChatGPT and others, and exchanging insights with others on it, I can confidently say — it takes a great deal of previous intellectual training, good general knowledge, and ideally a polymathic background to be able to achieve really good results from LLMs (Large Language Models).

Hence, I see the need for a very profound, polymathic type of education that will create a strong foundation for any further development or challenges. Polymaths (multifaceted specialists) have proven to be the most resilient, creative, and innovative people. The future is polymathic; there is no way around it.

How can we raise polymathic, multidimentional children in a world that still, in the year 2024, thinks in terms of the industrial age?

This is where the real challenge in raising children comes.

Why Parents Matter More Than Schools

When I asked my daughter to define Generation Alpha, she shared an unexpected observation:

‘It largely depends on their family environment, how they were raised, and their relationship with their parents. It all comes down to this, not which school they attend or which country they live in.’

Based on her intensive contact with teens worldwide and experience with various schooling formats (from homeschooling to public school), she claims that parents are the real source of personality formation, not the education system as is often believed. I do agree with her. Hence, my advice is:

• Don’t rely on schooling alone!

• Create a nourishing environment (extracurricular activities, friends)

• Allow for free time

• Let them be themselves (which appears to be most difficult for adults to allow).

Rediscovering Play in a Digital Age

One more intriguing aspect that we often overlook has been pointed out by the renowned freestyle learning scholar, American psychologist Peter Gray:

“If you read the popular press, you might think the problem lies with screens and social networks, or almost anything else, except for the fact that we have more or less confined children indoors all day.”

This observation invites us to reconsider where children find joy. In fact, when asked to depict or describe activities that make them happy, what do children illustrate or talk about? They portray or describe scenes of play. Play is the direct source of children’s happiness.

Now, ask yourself, how many opportunities for free play does a child have? Especially in the typical modern society — not considering indigenous and more traditional cultures — where the structure of daily life often leaves little room for unstructured, imaginative play. This question underscores a significant shift away from natural, self-directed play towards a more scheduled, supervised form of engagement, potentially impacting the developmental and emotional well-being of children. But there is more to it!

It’s not just important for children to grow up as happy beings, but for those who prioritize success over happiness, it turns out that free play (unfacilitated and not directed by adults) is a great personality builder.

Why is this the case?

Free play teaches problem-solving and how to have control over a situation. People who feel they can solve their problems and control their own lives are less likely to experience anxiety or depression. However, to feel in control, one must have the opportunity to actually be in control — a feat impossible if someone is always watching and dictating what to do.

Research shows that when children have more choice in their activities, especially in the context of free play, it has a positive impact on their mental health. They become better at planning and solving problems, controlling their emotions, and getting along with others.

It Takes More Than Parents

But is the responsibility of raising a child solely on the shoulders of parents and caregivers? You’ve likely come across the adage:

“It takes a whole village to raise a child.”

While many of us no longer reside in traditional villages, this concept remains relevant today. Interestingly, in our modern context, an average working parent depends on six different individuals who assist in their child’s growth and development. This team effort highlights how crucial a supportive community is in nurturing the well-being and education of the young. From family members and teachers to coaches and neighbors, each plays a unique role in contributing to the holistic development of a child.

The Critical Role of the Humanities in Preparing Children for the Future

If we will indeed revive free play and enhanced community involvement in nurturing mentally healthy children prepared for the escalating global challenges, the next vital step is to refocus on the humanities, music, and art in education.

One of the leading voices in this conversation, Dr. Iain McGilchrist, a distinguished psychiatrist, neuroscientist, philosopher, and literary scholar, has emphasized in interviews the critical role of humanities education in empowering minds to probe and question, beyond merely amazing facts. He argues that the humanities do more than educate; they cultivate critical thinking, challenge prevailing assumptions, and open our eyes to realities that transcend numerical measures. This approach to education promotes a depth of understanding that goes beyond simple knowledge gathering.

Contrasting sharply with current educational trends, which often prioritize rote learning and certification, especially with the increasing emphasis on STEM subjects at the expense of the humanities, McGilchrist’s perspective calls for a recalibration. He warns that this shift towards STEM, while valuable, should not undermine the humanities’ integral role. True education, he suggests, fosters independent thought and critical evaluation of one’s knowledge, skills increasingly indispensable in today’s complex world.

One more point in favor of the humanities: I believe that, in the future, skills such as Complexity Literacy and Futures Literacy will become crucial for endurance. These skills require not only analytical abilities but also a high level of imagination and creativity. As we know, these are fostered by training in the humanities.

Key Takeaways

In summary, my conclusion is that we must reintroduce or modify certain approaches to ensure not only the survival of our children in the future but also to equip them to be as robust and capable as possible for thriving. Here are my key takeaways on how to facilitate a happy childhood and adolescence for our children:

1. Don’t rely so much on schooling; realize the importance of parental impact and understand that the value of parental influence is often underestimated.

2. Encourage free play, which fosters creativity, resilience and the sense of control over their lives.

3. Teach them the skill of learning how to learn, making them lifelong learners.

4. Help them find their community, including friends and like-minded individuals, to build social support networks — both in their phsical vicinity and online.

5. Nurture creativity through engagement with nature, art, music, dance, theater, literature, and poetry.

6. Introduce them to philosophical thinking to enhance their thinking skills.

7. Encourage participation in cultural, social and political life to foster a sense of responsibility and community.

   
   

In essence, we need to build a strong foundation for sustainance in the AI era by not solely relying on traditional schooling. Create a nurturing environment with diverse courses and social circles. Allow time for freedom, self-discovery, and independent exploration. Provide opportunities for them to express themselves and engage in free play. Learning to learn independently, finding their “people,” and developing creative and thinking skills are crucial. By actively participating in the cultural, social and political fabric of society, they become well-rounded persons ready not only to face the challenges of the future but actively shape it.

P.S. For ideas on polymathic education, look up my book “WHY POLYMATHS?”, get your copy here.