Here is what you don’t know about AI that could harm you and your children

Do you like sci-fi?

I love it. Since I was a young girl, sci-fi has captured my imagination. I couldn't get enough of it. I loved reading Isaac Asimov's books and wouldn't miss a Star Trek episode.

I loved watching Captain Picard and his team. I was amazed by the technology they had and what it meant for their everyday lives. But as a child, it all looked like a farfetched fantasy. It all seemed like something that could only happen in your dreams.

But then, I grew up and experienced firsthand the fantastic era of rapid technological advancement.

Suddenly, advanced gadgets from Star-Trek were available for anyone to purchase.

The communicator from Star-Trek is now called a cell phone, and we can't imagine living without it. The replicator became a 3D printer, the Tricorder medical device that can scan people and provide diagnosis is also a reality now, and the tablet computers from Star-Trek are also an integral part of our lives, and these are only a few examples.

While all of the above sci-fi gadgets have changed our lives, the crown jewel from Star Trek is a game changer on a different level.

One of my favourite Star Trek characters is Data. If you are unfamiliar with Data, it is a synthetic life form with artificial intelligence.

As I progressed on my Star Trek journey, I developed empathy and warm feelings towards Data. I learnt to like and appreciate Data's wisdom, sensitivity, curiosity, and attempts to be funny. One of the unique characteristics of Data, which added a lot of flavour to the series, was his desire to be more like a human and to understand humans' behaviour and emotions.

How to develop unique skills that AI can't replace

Did you know that Data is a reality now?

He is not fiction anymore. Indeed, a machine with AI doesn't look like a human yet, but it has astonishing capabilities. AI today already does so many of the things we are doing. And it will only continue to develop at an increasing pace.

Here are a few fantastic things AI is already doing –

✅ Driving a car

✅ Trading stock

✅ Playing games against humans and winning

✅ Writing marketing material, blogs, and social media posts

✅ Drawing award-winning art (yes, an artist entered an AI painting into a contest and won first prize)

✅ Diagnosing skin cancer better than dermatologists

✅ Writing code (yes, AI creates computer programs)

✅ Analysing what your current emotional state is

✅ Listening to you and understanding what you are saying (think Siri and Alexa)

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Every day, AI becomes more and more an integral part of our lives and changes how we live.

So, what’s next?

Are we becoming redundant?

The short answer is no.

The longer answer is that we need to focus on developing particular skills in order to have a job.

In the coming years, some jobs will disappear as AI will replace the needs of humans, and for most of the remaining positions, the way we do these jobs will change as we will work more alongside computers. Many existing occupations are undergoing significant transformations in terms of their content and skills requirements.

​A World Economic Forum’s report estimates that by 2025, 85 million jobs may be displaced by a shift in the division of labour between humans and machines, across the 15 industries and 26 economies covered by that report.

This report also explored the skills required to thrive in a job market that is changing and shifting due to technological advancement. They concluded that crucial skills for success are creative thinking, critical thinking, problem-solving, innovative thinking and being lifelong learners.

How to thrive in a world with AI

While some might see the development of AI as doom and gloom and worry that machines will rebel and try to kill us, I see the progress of AI as great news.

There is a beautiful opportunity here to create a better life and focus on our superpowers, the ones that make us unique.

While AI can do many of the things we are doing, it still can't replace our imagination, creative thinking, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

Therefore, if you want your children or students to thrive in a world where AI is an integral part of our lives, you need to help them develop these skills.

And there are many ways for you to do just that.

If you are a parent, the book "Think Unique – raising a successful innovative child" will enable you to help your child develop their superhuman skills and thrive alongside AI.

Check it out here.

You can also check out more parents resources that help you develop your child's skills for success here.

If you are a teacher who wants to set your students to succeed in a world driven by technological advancement, you have many options to choose from.

You can check out Glittering Minds resources that empower you to do so here.

And the book "Think Unique – your comprehensive guide to cultivating tomorrow's innovators through Project-Based Learning" empowers you to unlock the potential of your students. Here, you will find the best teaching strategies, activities, and tools to engage students in meaningful and relevant learning experiences. This book will help you create learning experiences that inspire your students to think critically and creatively, collaborate, and develop their problem-solving skills. It is packed with practical ideas and examples, making it an essential resource for 21st-century teachers.

Learn more about this book here.

It's up to us to create a future where humans thrive alongside machines.

So let's make it happen.

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