If AI Is the Future of Work, Why Are We Leaving Kids Out?

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping the world, and we’re only at the beginning. Even if it never advanced beyond what we have now, it would still be one of the most powerful tools ever created. And yet, in most of the schools I’ve observed, AI is barely being talked about. When it is mentioned, the focus is almost entirely on what students shouldn’tdo with it.

Don’t use it to cheat.

Don’t use it to cut corners.

Don’t trust it too much.

That kind of caution isn’t wrong, but it’s incomplete. Where are the conversations about how students can use AI? Where are the examples of AI being a tool for learning, discovery, creativity, and growth?

We need to change the tone. And quickly.

The Nature of Work Is Already Changing

AI isn’t a future threat or a passing trend. It’s already changing what it means to be employable. In nearly every industry, AI is automating tasks that used to define entire jobs. But that doesn’t mean we’re heading toward irrelevance. It means the value we bring is shifting.

The future won’t reward people for memorizing facts or repeating known steps. It will reward those who know how to use AI to generate new ideas, solve problems, ask smarter questions, and create things that didn’t exist before.

People who know how to use AI thoughtfully won’t be replaced by it. But those who avoid it or never learn how to use it well may find themselves left behind.

This is where AI literacy comes in.

According to the Stanford Graduate School of Education, “AI literacy is the ability to understand, use, and critically evaluate artificial intelligence technologies, including how they work, what they can and can’t do, and how they impact society.”

This isn’t just a tech skill. It’s a life skill. One that will shape how students learn, work, and engage with the world around them.

A Tool for Creativity, Not Just Efficiency

Over the weekend, I saw firsthand what this can look like.

My 16-year-old daughter, an artist, had a vision for a video game using her original characters. She had never written a line of code before, but she wanted to give it a try. With help from ChatGPT, she learned the basics of Unity and C#. Within a few hours, her drawings were moving across the screen. Her imagination had come to life in a whole new way.

My 11-year-old son, who already knows Scratch, used ChatGPT to take his own game idea to the next level. He asked for help creating complex code, generating original images, and solving problems he couldn’t figure out on his own. He created something far beyond what he could have built last week.

And most importantly, they weren’t just copying or coasting. They were learning, creating, and taking ownership of their ideas. The AI didn’t replace their effort. It extended it.

This Should Inspire Us, Not Scare Us

There’s no question that AI raises big questions. Ethical concerns, overreliance, misinformation, and more. These are real, and we should be thinking about them.

But we can’t let fear drive the whole conversation. Right now, too many kids are being told to be suspicious of AI before they’ve had a chance to understand its potential. In some cases, they’re even feeling guilty about using it.

My daughter shared that she sometimes feels conflicted when she turns to AI for support. Messages from school have framed it as cheating. Some artists she knows have warned that it could threaten their work.

I understand these concerns. But guilt shouldn’t be the first thing a young person feels when they’re exploring a new creative tool. Fear shouldn’t be what keeps kids from learning how to build, solve, express, and imagine.

If we frame AI only as a threat, we’ll miss out on the best of what it can offer. Especially for kids who don’t have access to enrichment programs, private tutoring, or special equipment. AI can be the bridge that helps them bring their ideas to life.

Imagine a student with learning differences getting personalized explanations that finally make sense. Or a kid in a rural area using AI to explore careers, build a website, or learn to animate their own short film. Or a young writer using AI to outline their story and finally finish something they’re proud of.

This is what’s possible. And we shouldn’t wait.

Let’s Bring This Into the Classroom

I feel lucky that I can support my kids in using AI in these ways. But this shouldn’t depend on luck or privilege. We need schools to step up and help every student learn how to use these tools.

So here’s what I’d ask. If you’re a parent, educator, or community member, talk to your school system. Ask what they’re doing to teach AI literacy. Push the conversation beyond what kids can’t do with AI. Let’s start focusing on what they can.

AI is going to be part of their world. It already is. The real question is whether we’re going to help them use it wisely, creatively, and with confidence.

Let’s lead with curiosity and optimism—not fear.