Robots are taking our future.

The fear towards technology is greatly misunderstood. As humans, it is insulting and worrying to see our whole career slip away into the abyss merely to be given to a robot.?

Humans naturally hate change, if you had worked all your life to strive for one particular goal and those achievements were taken away from you in an instant, how would you feel??

If it wasn’t taken by a competitor, but by a piece of tech that has revolutionised the world and better still, it’s programmed better than you. It’s more efficient and accurate, it removes all human error and its memory will not fade, alter or damage. And just like that, you have to change your whole life because a robot can do it better than you… it is easy to become beaten intellectually and spiritually.

Artificial intelligence is a variety of machines that mimic cognitive functions such as learning or problem solving. It can be classified into three different types of systems: analytical, human-inspired, and humanized artificial intelligence. These elements are all based on past experience to inform future decisions.?

We cannot compete.

But let’s not be pessimistic here, we can do something to stop AI taking control right??

After all, we did create these incredible machines and they are based on our cognitive ability.?

And yet, here I am again, my answer to solve all problems... education. Oh the beauty of education. We can scrap providing a set of predetermined skills such as solving equations, conversing in Chinese or even writing computer code. We need to learn how to deal with change, to learn new things and to preserve our mental balance in unfamiliar situations.?

In order to keep up with the world of 2050, you will not only need to invent new products or ideas but you will need you reinvent yourself over and over again. Such profound change may transform the basic structure of life, making discontinuity its most salient feature.?

Okay, so if we change ourselves continually to adapt to new jobs, interests and ideas, one might ask….?

Who am I??

(And that’s a great question!)

This question will become more urgent and complicated than ever. This will be stressful. Naturally, in your youth, your whole life changes constantly. It's scary but equally exciting trying to invent yourself and put your mark on the world. Oh, how I remember trying to be a surfer chick in the middle of the countryside with no beaches in sight!?

However, when you get older, you prefer stability. You have given up trying to conquer the world. You have invested so much already and quite rightly, as neurological reasons explain it is hard work trying to rewire synapses and reconnecting neutrons.?

I strongly believe that to survive and flourish in this world of AI, we need mental flexibility and great emotional balance. This has to start young and become a positive habit in our children. To have the ability to repeatedly let go of something you know best and feel at home in the unknown. If AI is enviable, you might think I should probably study engineering or force children to create new algorithms to guarantee a successful job that will be long lasting. It could be a wise choice but it won’t happen for everyone.

In an ideal situation, maximising freedom of action in a sustainable generation, with AI carefully regulated would be the pretty good solution. A beautiful relationship between AI and mankind.?

My worry is, what is happening right now. I am teaching children right now. I cannot wait until we move to Mars with Elon Musk. Technology is already an extension of us and our children. We create social media and state what we like, dislike, our interests, our friends and even provide our own unique fingerprints.?

The last thing we want is to find that you are serving technology rather than it serving you. So I am suggesting a technique that can be easily adapted into everyday teaching practice, to help ourselves control the power of technology and our own minds.?

Mindfulness.?

If you know what you want in life, technology can help you get it. If you don’t, it will all be too easy for technology to shape your aims and take control of your life. People are starting to pay attention to the many benefits of teaching mindfulness. Being mindful helps to allocate time to explore your own mind, not just focus it.?

Aside from the academic growth, I feel it is the emotional growth we need to regain the most. As biotechnology and machine learning improve, it will become easier to manipulate people’s deepest emotions and desires, becoming more dangerous than ever to follow your heart. You fancy a McDonald’s burger? It’s probably because you’ve seen it three times on Facebook and four times at the cinema last night before the film. Ever heard of the Truman Show? Do we really know ourselves that well?

If we want to retain control of our personal existence and of the future life, we need to have some understanding of ourselves. When I participate in meditation, I observe my body sensations, not just my breath. Mostly, it is mundane and ordinary but that’s the magic of it - to just observe reality as it is. I believe it is a valuable tool to understand the mind. Education should instill self-regulation.?

As a mother and educator, I’d like my children to knowingly feel a connection between their body and mind. To be in the present, to be non judgemental and to be in complete control of themselves is a precious and relaxing moment. Scientists have discovered that mindfulness techniques help improve physical health relieving stress, treat heart disease, lower blood pressure, improve sleep and overall boost your well-being. Overall, developing our mental strength to deal with change.?

There are ways that mindfulness training can prepare us to meet the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution;?

• Develop our capacity for compassionate thinking
• Provide a competitive edge for the core 21st century skill set?
• Expand our ability to live a life of meaning?

In February 2017, Professor Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum explained that we urgently need new human-centered thinking that considers happiness, wellbeing, purpose and meaning which can all be tailored into education, however we need help from the government to cultivate the optimum conditions for human happiness. Fortunately, for now, you have The Mushkins to help and all I can do is encourage you implement mindfulness into your family your educational setting.

Need help? The Mushkins offer incredible resources, staff training, activities and incursions to help mindfulness become normal. To build stronger minds to cope with the challenges of tomorrow.?

Consciousness is the greatest mystery in the universe and it might be worth investing in our children's future, in order for them to understand their minds before the algorithms makes up their minds for them.

Isabelle Russell

The Mushkins