Stop Asking Your Kids What They Want to Be When They Grow Up: Preparing them for an AI-first world

Every year on the first day of school, I take photos of my kids holding a poster. It asks typical fun questions: "What's your favorite food and activity?" And, of course, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Over the years, my kids have given hilarious and heartwarming answers: a mom, a singer, and a superhero. I've always prided myself on being non-judgmental about their choices, not pushing any single career on them, letting them dream without imposing limitations.

But this year, something changed. I didn't do the poster, just the photos. I realized that the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" no longer felt relevant. The question assumes there's one thing to aspire to, one career to define a lifetime. In an AI-driven world, where jobs will change rapidly, holding onto this notion seems outdated and limiting. When we ask children what they want to "be," we're reinforcing the idea that success is tied to one defined role or profession. This approach doesn't align with the reality of the modern workforce.

A recent MIT study found that about 60% of jobs in the U.S. today didn't exist in 1940. The world of work is evolving faster than ever, and the jobs we're asking our kids about today may not exist in 20 years. My own educational experience is a perfect example: when I pursued my MBA, terms like "digital transformation" and "AI" weren't even part of the conversation. If I had stopped learning after receiving that degree, how relevant would my skills be today?

In an AI-powered world, careers will evolve, and new roles will emerge faster than ever. Alvin Toffler's famous quote, one of my favorites, has never been more true: "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."

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Here's What We Should Be Nurturing Instead for an AI-first World

So, if we stop asking kids what they want to be, what should we focus on instead? Here are five essential MINDSETS to nurture in your children to help them flourish in an AI-driven future:

1. "Failure is part of the process of creating amazing things" (Failure Tolerance)

AI reduces routine work, meaning the future belongs to creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. However, this skill set conflicts with many education systems that reward perfection and demonize failure. We discussed this theme during a learning module I recently attended at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). There are memes and jokes about Caribbean, African, and Asian parents asking, "Why not 100?" when your child brings home a score of 95. (Drop a comment if you can relate ??).

The absence of fear of failing motivates creativity and innovation. Failure teaches resilience, creativity, and problem-solving—precisely the skills our children will need in an unpredictable future that rewards creators.

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2. "I love to learn new things and respond to change" (Curiosity and Adaptability)

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang said in an interview that children may no longer need to learn how to code, as AI can do it more efficiently. This may have been a gut punch for parents encouraging their children to pursue software engineering. I still think coding is good to learn, especially if your child has the passion. However, change is constant, and if they aren't continuous and curious learners, they'll be left wanting when new technology invariably disrupts. Help your children understand that change is inevitable. In an AI-driven world, jobs will evolve, industries will shift, and new opportunities will emerge. The ability to pivot and learn new skills quickly will be invaluable. Whether it's embracing new technologies or switching career paths, adaptability will keep them moving forward. As parents, we must teach our children to view change not as a threat but as an opportunity for growth.

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3. “I can solve ambiguous problems" (Critical Thinking)

With AI eventually being able to handle everyday problems with ease, humans will need the ability to tackle complex and emerging ambiguous problems with AI as their co-pilot. While AI can assist by providing data and solutions for routine tasks, critical thinking—the ability to navigate uncertainty, analyze nuanced information, and make informed decisions—will distinguish the leaders of tomorrow. Encourage your children to embrace challenges and ambiguity with confidence and creativity versus fear.

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4. “I Can Make Money with My Passions" (Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship)

I love seeing people in my circle make money from their passions in non-traditional ways. My high school schoolmate Uché Blackstock, MD has shifted from doctor to entrepreneur, advocate, best-selling author, and influencer! In an AI-driven future, it's important to shift our children's focus from "getting a good job" to learning how to create and earn from their passions. AI will change the landscape of traditional careers, and many routine jobs will likely be automated. What won't change is the ability to build a meaningful life and income around something they love. Encourage children to think about their passions not just as hobbies but as opportunities to create value in the world—whether through entrepreneurship, creativity, or new industries that don't even exist yet.

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5. “I Am Driven by My Values" (Ethical leadership)

This is last, but certainly not least. For years, we've emphasized technical skills like coding, engineering, and medicine as paths to success. But as AI takes over more routine tasks, it's the so-called "soft" skills linked to people-centric values—empathy, kindness, collaboration—that will set our children apart. In a world where AI will handle much of the technical heavy lifting, and new technology creates new harms, what remains for us is the uniquely human ability to connect, create, empathize, and lean into our values. Soft skills, once considered secondary, are quickly becoming the hard skills of the future.

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Conclusion

It's time to rethink how we prepare our children for a future with no certainty, just rapid and constant change. How are you preparing your children for this AI-first future?

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Sources:

https://news.mit.edu/2024/does-technology-help-or-hurt-employment-0401