It’s everywhere you look, popping up again and again. Kind of like that pesky sibling you wish would disappear, but who just keeps coming back. It is here to stay. To loosely quote Mo Gawdat, “Saying you are not going to be involved in AI is like saying you won’t get hit by a hurricane, while sitting by the water, with a hurricane coming straight for you.” It is going to affect everyone of us.
As adults, it feels new and overwhelming. How can we make changes at work to avoid being left behind? It will mean new integration. New training. Which will take a while. And most likely, while you are learning new stuff, more “new stuff” will be coming in. I think we are going to feel a bit like a puppy chasing its tail for a while. Also, the big question: Will robots take over the world? Maybe. Who knows. Maybe they already have.
If you’ve seen the news lately, it almost seems like robots are taking over—because surely, humans can’t be acting like this. These are only two of thousands of questions we have. But I believe there is an even bigger question. What will AI take from our children? Kids born today will never know a world without AI. And they are our future. A future that you and I may be around to experience. So what does that even mean exactly?
AI can generate stories, information, beautiful art, new music, etc. It can honestly generate almost anything. But at what point, if everyone has access, does it begin to feel very “same, same”? If kids use it for everything, will it completely change them? Encouragingly, kids are infinitely creative. They will have the opportunity to allow AI to complement their creativity. They can take AI-generated information and expand it. They can become beautiful mixologists. Blending tech and human creativity. I do not think AI will ever take that from them.
Kids’ bodies like to be in motion. Have you ever tried to gather a group of kindergarten kids? It is like herding wild cats. Tech does want to force them into sedentary spaces. Gaming specifically. But AI will never remove their bodies’ biological need to be active. As parents, we may have to compete with the pull of AI-generated entertainment. But we can make the intentional decisions to get our kids outside and encourage them to move their bodies. Maybe we can even incorporate AI games or gamify exercise routines.
Lastly, and this is the hill I will die on, AI will never, ever replace your child’s need for face-to-face connections. There is a physiological response that occurs within our bodies when we meet someone face-to-face. AI can never replace this interaction. Nor can any type of tech. If there is one thing that COVID lockdowns taught us, as we were thrust into a more tech-centric lifestyle, it is that we yearned for the simple pleasure of being face-to-face with other humans. Physical touch creates emotional bonding and fosters trust. Something that AI will never be able to do.
At the end of the day, nothing beats a tender embrace from grandma. So while AI is here, and may feel overwhelming…I think we can hold fast to a few truths when it comes to our kids. They are going to be okay. Just remind them to be creative, get outside, and give grandma a hug.
Kristi Bush serves as a national education consultant and social media safety advocate. She is a licensed social worker with greater than 15 years of clinical practice and health care experience. She attended Troy and Auburn University where she studied social work and counseling. Kristi travels nationally and has spoken with thousands of children, parents, professionals and organizations about the benefits and threats associated with social media. You may reach Kristi through her website at www.knbcommunications.com.
