Preparing Our Kids for a Future Dominated by AI
Raising Problem-Solvers for an Unpredictable Future
AI seems to have reached a turning point. It’s no longer just a tool for tech experts and grifters using celebrity clones to push Medicare scams —AI is showing up everywhere, becoming a major part of how we live and work. Businesses are using it to streamline operations, improve products, and enhance customer interactions, and it’s hard to find a major company that isn’t investing in it. This rapid growth is changing industries and shaping the way we interact with the world. But for all this change, for many working dads, AI might affect how we do our jobs, but we still have some sense of stability in the careers and systems we’ve grown used to. Most of us will (hopefully) be able to follow the traditional path into retirement.
For our kids, however, the future is far less certain. The careers they’ll pursue, how they’ll prepare for them, and even the industries they’ll work in might look nothing like what we know today. Entirely new fields, like AI ethics and algorithm auditing, are already emerging, while others, such as customer service or logistics, face automation at an unprecedented pace. Traditional education, long seen as the path to success, is already beginning to see AI’s influence. AI-driven tools now offer personalized learning experiences, challenging one-size-fits-all teaching models. Pick a field, and AI is likely shaking it up.
This unpredictability presents a challenge: how do we prepare children for a world that’s still taking shape? When technology can transform how we live our daily lives in a matter of years, how can we give our kids the tools and talents to navigate that transformation?
The answer lies in adaptability. Knowing that the future is uncertain is, in its own way, a form of certainty. Being able to adapt to rapid change is going to be an increasingly important skill and that skill can be learned. By teaching our children to embrace change, think creatively, and keep learning, we can prepare them to thrive in a new world that’s changing all the time.
AI’s Shifting Landscape
If you’ve tracked any news on AI, you know that it is already shaking up entire industries, to the point that AI news can move global markets. Fields like manufacturing, transportation, and customer service have seen early impacts from automation and machine learning. In creative professions, tools powered by AI can now generate art, compose music, and even write stories. Depending on where you look, these examples may feel impressive—or unsettling—but experts seem to agree that we are just scratching the surface of what AI might accomplish. If only they knew what that was.
It’s near impossible to predict what AI will look like in the coming years, let alone in ten or twenty years. Some experts are optimistic, envisioning a utopia of abundance and almost no work, others are, let’s say, a bit more gloomy, warning of mass unemployment and extreme societal inequality. In my opinion, we’ll likely wind up somewhere in between, barring an industry collapse that would make the dotcom bubble look like a blip on the radar.
No matter what direction it’s heading, it’s likely that AI will play a larger and larger role in shaping how we work and live. The effects might not just impact careers, but the entire model for how you even get a job in the first place.
This unpredictability underscores why adaptability is going to be the currency of the land in an AI future. In a world where a skill that takes years to master can become obsolete overnight, the incentives of learning get turned on their head. The ability to adjust to sudden change and apply the latest technological innovations becomes crucial. Successful individuals will be able to pivot as circumstances change. They will be able to learn new tools, understand emerging industries, and find ways to thrive in uncertain times. By fostering adaptability, we can prepare our kids to confidently navigate the twists and turns that an AI future will bring.
Equipping Kids to Navigate Change
Now, it’s easy to say "evolve or die" and proclaim that kids need to be more adaptable for the future. But actually fostering adaptability is a much more challenging problem—how do you concretely encourage something that is, by its nature, abstract?
One of the best places to start is by cultivating a love of lifelong learning. The rapid pace of technological change means the skills our kids learn today might not be enough for the jobs of tomorrow. What will always serve them, however, is the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn. This growth mindset thrives on curiosity and resilience, where kids see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. We can support this mindset by encouraging our children to explore new ideas, celebrate their efforts over results, and embrace failure as a step toward improvement.
Just as important as the ability to learn are the human qualities that machines will never replicate. Emotional intelligence, collaboration, and creativity will remain essential skills in a world increasingly shaped by AI. While algorithms can handle repetitive or analytical tasks, roles requiring empathy, leadership, and out-of-the-box problem-solving will continue to rely on uniquely human traits. We can nurture these qualities by encouraging teamwork, nurturing emotional awareness, and modeling effective communication.
Of course, kids learn as much from what we do as from what we say. If we want them to be adaptable, we need to model that behavior in our own lives. Whether it’s learning a new skill, staying curious about new technologies, or openly discussing how we handle challenges, showing adaptability in action reinforces its importance. When kids see resilience and optimism in how we face uncertainty, they’ll be more likely to carry those qualities into their own lives.
Diving Deep vs. Touching Grass
When it comes to preparing kids for the future, it’s important to find a balance between giving them exposure to AI and encouraging them to stay grounded in real-world experiences. Shielding kids from technology entirely isn’t the answer—doing so risks leaving them unprepared for a world where AI is increasingly likely to be central to almost every industry. Instead, we can guide them in engaging with AI purposefully. This might mean experimenting with beginner coding platforms, exploring AI tools together, or discussing how technology impacts our lives. The goal isn’t to make them experts but to ensure they’re comfortable using these tools, thinking critically about their applications, and understanding how AI fits into the bigger picture.
At the same time, kids also need real-world experiences to develop the resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills that no algorithm can replicate. Outdoor adventures, hands-on problem-solving, and face-to-face interactions help them build confidence and a broader perspective beyond the digital realm. By integrating exposure to technology with real-world learning, we can equip kids to thrive in both digital and physical worlds. This balance ensures they grow into well-rounded individuals, prepared for the opportunities and challenges of an AI-driven future.
The Path Forward
AI may bring uncertainty, but that does not mean we should fear the future it brings with it. By focusing on adaptability, we can prepare our kids not just to survive in an AI world but to thrive in it. Helping them build a mindset rooted in curiosity, resilience, and emotional intelligence will ensure they are ready to face whatever challenges—and opportunities—come their way.
As parents, the future may seem foggy, but the role we play in shaping our children’s mindset is crystal clear. By guiding them to embrace change, engage thoughtfully with technology, and build meaningful real-world connections, we can give them the tools they need to write their own stories in a world shaped by AI. The future may be unpredictable, but adaptability will always be their greatest advantage.
Note: The Fatherhood Framework uses AI for various purposes, including generating graphics for our logo and social media, drafting outlines, and assisting with final edits.