A.I. thinking about the future of its own kids

As an innovation coach and a human behaviour enthusiast, I spend a lot of time thinking about the future. I work with people on how they can adapt, grow, and thrive in a world that seems to be evolving faster than ever. With the rapid advancement of A.I. and automation, one question has been on my mind recently:

What should the next generation (my daughter’s generation) study to stay relevant and fulfilled?

It’s not just a hypothetical concern for me. I have a two-year-old daughter, and while she’s still in the playful, curious stage of life, the question of her future looms large. What kind of world will she grow up in? What careers will even be available? As a parent, I want to guide her toward a path where she can thrive in a world that might look very different from today.

So, I did what I often do when I face a complex challenge: I turned to artificial intelligence for insights. In this case, I wanted to explore a more personal side of A.I., imagining how it would respond if it, too, had a child to guide through life’s educational decisions. The result was a fascinating conversation that gave me insights into the future of work, education, and how we might navigate these changes.

My Initial Fears

I started by sharing my concerns with the A.I.: I’m worried. We’re already seeing artificial intelligence outperform humans in various industries. Automation is taking over repetitive tasks, and sophisticated algorithms are handling decision-making processes that once required human expertise. This isn’t just about factory jobs. It’s creeping into creative fields, legal work, and even healthcare. What happens when A.I. surpasses us in nearly every field? What should my daughter, and by extension, future generations, focus on to remain relevant?

The A.I. responded with a mix of reassurance and practical advice. It wasn’t dismissive of my concerns; instead, it offered suggestions that emphasized human qualities that A.I. cannot (yet) replicate.

A.I.’s Initial Recommendations

A.I.’s Initial Recommendations

The A.I. offered a variety of fields that it felt were less likely to be overtaken by automation. It wasn’t just about avoiding what A.I. is good at—it was about embracing what humans are uniquely capable of:

1. Creative Industries: Art, design, and storytelling require a level of human originality and personal expression that artificial intelligence can assist with, but not replace.

2. Emotional Intelligence and Social Skills: Professions involving empathy, such as psychology, counseling, and teaching, rely heavily on human interaction.

3. Leadership and Management: While A.I. can aid in analysis, strategic decision-making and leading people will always need a human touch.

4. Healthcare and Medicine: While diagnostics may be automated, the compassion and care provided by healthcare professionals are irreplaceable.

5. Ethics and Philosophy: As A.I. and technology evolve, society will need experts to navigate the moral and ethical implications of these advancements.

6. STEM Fields with a Human Focus: Fields like biomedical engineering and environmental sustainability require both technical expertise and creative problem-solving to tackle global challenges.

7. Entrepreneurship: An entrepreneurial mindset empowers people to create opportunities and navigate new markets where A.I. is a tool, not a competitor.

8. Education and Training: In a world of lifelong learning, inspiring and adapting to new teaching methods will continue to need human educators.

9. Interdisciplinary Studies: Combining fields like technology and humanities leads to innovative solutions that require flexible, broad thinking.

10. Adaptability and Lifelong Learning: Perhaps the most important skill in the future will be the ability to adapt and continuously learn as the world changes.I found the A.I.’s suggestions insightful, especially the focus on adaptability and interdisciplinary studies. As someone who coaches innovation, I know that being able to navigate change is critical. But I had my doubts.

Challenging the A.I.’s Perspective

While I agreed with much of what the it said, I pushed back a little. I felt that it underestimated the evolution of younger generations. We’re already seeing a different type of resilience coming from the. One different to our own. (Great article here on generational resilience).

What if future generations no longer value human connection in areas like healthcare? Imagine a future where cancer is cured by pressing a button. People might care less about empathy and more about efficiency. If the problems we face are solved almost instantly by technology, what happens to our emotional and social needs?

It acknowledged this possibility but held firm that human qualities like creativity, ethical reasoning, and emotional intelligence would still be vital. As technology solves more problems, it opens up new ethical and societal questions; questions that require human insight and judgment to answer.

What Would A.I. Advise Its Own Child?

I called BS. So, I decided to take a different approach. I asked the A.I. to imagine it had its own child. I asked it to pretend it was fully responsible for that child’s future and, like any parent, wanted the best for them.

This is where things got really interesting. The A.I. advised its hypothetical child to pursue two main areas:

1. Interdisciplinary Innovation and Problem-Solving: It emphasized the importance of tackling global challenges, like environmental sustainability or public health, by combining knowledge from multiple fields. By thinking creatively and drawing from various disciplines, this field would allow its child to solve complex problems that machines alone cannot address.

2. Ethics and Governance of Emerging Technologies: As technology advances, ethical considerations will become even more critical. It advised focusing on understanding the societal impacts of technology, shaping policies, and ensuring that innovation benefits everyone, not just a few.

I found this advice particularly compelling. These fields align closely with the future of innovation, technology’s role in shaping society, and the human element of guiding that progress responsibly. After all, humans tend to be the biggest obstacle to innovation.

Designing the Future: Educational Pathways

We also discussed what an ideal educational pathway might look like to prepare someone for such complex challenges. We brainstormed course titles that would encompass this kind of learning, with a focus on ethics, global governance, and sustainable innovation. Here the suggested title

• “Sustainable Innovation and Global Technology Governance”

The course focused on blending technical knowledge with human-centered thinking. The idea wasn’t just to master technology but to ensure that the progress we make with it serves the greater good.

A Parenting Conversation: Navigating a Child’s Future

I loved the idea in theory but I could only assume it was easier said then done to convince a child to follow such a direction. Finally, I asked it to simulate a conversation with its own hypothetical teenage child, who was unsure about what to study. The A.I. was careful not to overwhelm its child with technical jargon or push too hard, recognizing the importance of self-discovery at that age. Instead, it approached the conversation with empathy, asking open-ended questions like:

• “What are some things that you’re passionate about or find exciting?”

• “Is there anything you’ve done recently that you found fun or interesting?”

When I imagined this conversation in a real-world context, it felt like it wasn’t just providing logical answers. It was modeling how to guide someone without taking control, a trait we often overlook when thinking about artificial intelligence and its future role in our lives.

What I Learned

This conversation left me with a lot to think about. As a parent, my goal isn’t just to prepare my daughter for a job that pays well but to equip her for a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling. It reinforced that by focusing on adaptability, interdisciplinary learning, and the ethical management of emerging technologies, we can help the next generation not only survive but also thrive in the world they will inherit.

In a time of unprecedented technological change, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what I learned from this conversation is that there’s still room for human insight, creativity, and empathy. These are the skills that will guide the future, regardless of how advanced technology becomes.

In the end, while its advice was practical, it was also deeply human. And maybe that’s the key. Technology and humanity aren’t opposing forces; they’re partners in shaping a better future.

Final Thoughts

As a coach and a parent, I’m now more optimistic about what lies ahead. If we can foster curiosity, adaptability, and ethical thinking in our children, they’ll be ready for whatever the future brings. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll help build a world where artificial intelligence. and humans complement each other in ways we can’t yet fully imagine.