As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms every aspect of modern life, parents and educators are grappling with a pressing question: How do we prepare the next generation for a world where A.I. is not just a tool, but a fundamental force shaping work, education, and society?
Experts agree that the traditional model of education—focused on rote memorization and standardized testing—may no longer be sufficient. Instead, the rise of A.I. demands a shift toward cultivating skills that machines cannot easily replicate: creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability.
The Changing Role of Education
Rebecca Winthrop, director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution, argues that A.I. is forcing a reevaluation of what it means to be educated. “If we can offload more and more tasks to generative A.I., what’s left for the human mind to do?” she asks. The answer, she suggests, lies in fostering uniquely human abilities.
Winthrop emphasizes the importance of teaching children not just to absorb information, but to evaluate it. “We’re going to want kids absolutely to know enough content so that they can be a judge of what is real and what is fake,” she says. In an age of deepfakes and misinformation, media literacy and the ability to discern credible sources are more important than ever.
Personalized Learning and Equity
One of the most promising aspects of A.I. in education is its potential to personalize learning. A.I.-powered tutors can adapt to a child’s individual learning style, pace, and interests, offering tailored support that traditional classrooms often struggle to provide. “A.I. gives you more tutors than there are children,” Winthrop notes. “It allows you to have tutors who adapt to that kid’s individual learning style in any way you wanted to.”
This personalization could help close achievement gaps and increase equity in education. Students who have historically been underserved—those with learning differences, those in rural areas, or those from low-income families—may benefit from access to high-quality, individualized instruction that was previously out of reach.
Preparing for the Future of Work
As A.I. reshapes the job market, the skills that will be most valuable are those that complement, rather than compete with, machines. Creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and emotional intelligence are likely to be in high demand. Parents and educators should encourage children to explore a wide range of interests, experiment with new ideas, and develop resilience in the face of failure.
“We’re also going to want them to have experiences where they’re learning and testing how to come up with creative new solutions to things, which is not really what traditional public education has been about,” Winthrop says. Project-based learning, interdisciplinary studies, and real-world problem-solving can help students develop these skills.
Challenges and Risks
While A.I. offers many opportunities, it also presents significant challenges. There are concerns about privacy, data security, and the potential for A.I. to reinforce existing biases. Additionally, not all students will have equal access to A.I.-powered tools, which could exacerbate existing inequalities.
Winthrop warns that without careful regulation and thoughtful implementation, A.I. could undermine rather than enhance education. “We need to be vigilant about who gets left behind,” she says. “We need to ensure that A.I. is used to increase equity, not widen the gap.”
Advice for Parents
For parents, the key is to stay informed, engage with their children’s learning, and encourage a growth mindset. Talk to your kids about A.I., its potential, and its limitations. Encourage them to think critically about the information they encounter online and to develop a broad range of skills and interests.
Winthrop also recommends fostering a love of learning for its own sake. “The most important thing we can do is help kids become more human,” she says. “Help them develop empathy, curiosity, and a sense of purpose.”
As A.I. continues to evolve, so too must our approach to education. By focusing on the skills and qualities that make us uniquely human, we can prepare the next generation not just to survive, but to thrive in the age of A.I.