AI in Education: Are We Preparing Our Kids or Failing Them?

Since my partner, Mig, and I became Godparents, I've been thinking a lot about AI in education. If you're a parent, educator, or care about the next generation, this matters to you too.

What concerns me about AI in Education

AI is changing everything: how we search for information, run businesses, create art, and even how we think. And the research is starting to show us the impact on developing brains.

Recent studies from MIT, NPR, and others are revealing concerning trends about AI and Social Media. Psychiatrist Dr. Zishan Khan notes that overreliance on AI tools can have "unintended psychological and cognitive consequences, especially for young people whose brains are still developing." Research tracking thousands of preteens found that those who use social media heavily score lower on reading and memory tests compared to their peers.

I'm not here to sound the alarm about how everything's going to hell in a handbasket and how much more resilient my generation was. Instead, I’d like to challenge you to think about opportunity.

The Reality

We've only had iPhones since 2007 and social media as we know it since 2004. ChatGPT and similar AI tools? Just since late 2022. Yet most of us can't imagine life without them anymore.

Young kids are now using AI more than adults in many cases. But you'll be hard-pressed to find children being taught how to use it thoughtfully, effectively, or ethically. We're starting to see some higher education classes tackle these ideas, but habits are being formed in our younger kids right now.

My greatest fear is that those kids will use AI to do all the things they need to do: homework, writing, problem-solving, and as a result, lose their ability to be creative, think critically, and develop their own mental muscles. Meanwhile, our education system falls further behind, clinging to antiquated methods instead of evolving.

I hope that we'll take a different path. One where we encourage creativity, refocus on critical thinking skills, and prioritize human connection, using AI as a tool to enhance these things, not replace them.

What Schools Are Missing

Here's what I've observed: Schools are so busy trying to prevent students from cheating with AI that they're missing a massive opportunity.

Kids need education on how to mindfully navigate the technology they'll use throughout their lives. Technology they’ll use, whether we like it or not. They need guidance to apply these tools productively. They need to learn how to think with tech in ways that help them and their fellow humans contribute meaningfully to society.

The irony? AI could actually help fix our deeply flawed education system.

Imagine if schools used AI to:

• Create updated, personalized learning materials

• Free teachers from hundreds of hours of administrative tasks so they can spend time WITH students

• Identify gaps in curricula and provide better resources

• Help students truly understand concepts instead of just memorizing facts for tests

AI Is Not Going Anywhere

AI and new technology are part of everyday life now and will only become more embedded in the next few years. Technology is progressing faster and faster.

We can't stop it. Trying would be futile. (For my fellow sci-fi nerds, yes, I’m aware of the Borg reference there. 🤖)

But we can prepare our kids to have the healthiest, most purposeful relationship with it. We can teach them to use it to foster human connection and advancement.

What I want for our goddaughter and other kids growing up in this super techy world:

I want our 3-year-old goddaughter to be genuinely prepared for adult life when she finishes school. I want her to grow up in a world where human connection is the priority, and AI is used as a tool to facilitate greater human freedom, creativity, and growth - not replace them.

I care about what we're handing to future generations, and I believe we have a responsibility to give them the best chance for a successful, happy future.

So Here's My Question for You:

Where should we start?

I'm not an educator. I don't work in the school system. I'm simply someone who thinks about these things and cares deeply about where we're heading.

I'm curious what you think:

• Do you agree? Disagree?

• Does AI scare you or excite you?

• If you're a parent or teacher, what are you seeing?

• What would you want kids to learn about AI?

We all need to give this serious thought. It's here. And in my humble opinion, it's our responsibility to get this right.

Drop me an email with your thoughts on this. Let's start this conversation.

Because the future isn't something that just happens to us. It’s something we create together.

Email comments or questions to: Donna@theforgegraphics.com