In an age of information overload, how should parents and children respond? As kids graduate and enter the workforce, will their jobs be replaced by artificial intelligence? While this remains uncertain, it’s a concern for many parents. Instead of waiting passively, parents should keep up with the times and help their children develop exceptional learning abilities to thrive in the AI era.
（Karen customizes courses and creates materials to facilitate her son's learning at home）
Home education and school education complement each other and significantly impact a child's development. Lawyer Karen has two sons, aged 13 and 10. She left her job early to become a full-time mom. While her sons attend school, she draws from local and international curricula to create customized courses and learning materials. On her sons' self-learning journey, Karen acknowledges that AI has become her assistant, handling simple documentation and data collection, which allows her to focus on deeper educational tasks.
（Karen teaches geography topics like plate tectonics using AI to generate questions. AI also helps with Chinese sentence examples, saving her more time.）
Karen believes that if parents only grasp basic child-rearing skills in the future, they will be outpaced by AI. Students must adapt to AI-driven education, and parents should also embrace technology and aim for higher-level skills. So, what else do children need to learn in the AI era? Karen identifies five key skills that can guide children's future learning:
Programming
In the AI age, understanding computers is essential. If a child only knows how to use applications, they'll remain at the user level. Learning programming not only provides insight into AI technology but also fosters creativity.
2. Reading and Writing Skills
Strong reading skills are crucial for understanding the answers AI provides. Meanwhile, robust writing skills enable children to use their own voice to improve AI-generated content.
3. Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills
When faced with everyday challenges, children need to build solutions and set long-term goals based on AI-provided information. This requires strong analytical and critical thinking skills, which AI currently cannot replicate.
（Karen emphasizes the importance of cultivating children’s self-learning abilities in the AI era.）
4. Self-Learning Abilities
For foundational knowledge, AI serves as an encyclopedia. By leveraging AI as a super teacher, children can create self-directed learning paths in core subjects. This promotes autonomy and effectiveness in their studies.
5. Creativity
Creativity drives society forward. Future generations should be endlessly inventive and adaptable. By thinking critically, reflecting, and creating, they can navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Technology enhances lives, and Karen points out, "In education, learning is like rowing upstream; if you don’t move forward, you’ll fall behind." As a parent of two, her approach to technology is one of acceptance and continuous learning.