AI and the Future of Work: Preparing Our Kids Today

Just a decade ago, artificial intelligence sounded like a futuristic concept pulled straight from a sci-fi film. Fast forward to today, and it’s quietly — yet rapidly — becoming one of the most powerful forces reshaping the workplace, the economy, and the very future our kids are walking into.

In boardrooms and factories, hospitals and classrooms, AI is taking root. What once felt like a distant possibility is now changing job descriptions, hiring practices, and entire industries.

That means the jobs we encourage our kids to dream about — doctor, lawyer, engineer — may soon look radically different, or even be entirely reimagined.

And this isn’t just speculation.

It’s happening now.

IBM’s CEO recently announced that AI has already replaced several hundred jobs in their human resources department. But rather than shrinking their workforce overall, the company is now hiring in new areas like AI programming, ethical development, and sales strategy — roles that didn’t even exist a few years ago. (Wall Street Journal)

Meanwhile, over at EY, CEO Janet Truncale said she doesn’t expect AI to reduce their 400,000-person global workforce. In fact, she believes it could help double it — not by eliminating roles, but by evolving them. EY is investing heavily in AI not just to automate tasks, but to empower employees to do more meaningful, strategic work. (Business Insider)

These are not isolated cases.

From JPMorgan to Duolingo to Disney, companies are investing in AI and adjusting their expectations for what skills matter most — and it’s not just coding or math. Creative thinking, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving are emerging as equally critical to thrive in an AI-assisted world.

For parents, this raises an important question:

Are we preparing our children for a world that may look nothing like the one we grew up in?

Coming Soon: The Learning Lab!

Get ready for something big... and brain-boosting! We’re launching The Learning Lab — a brand-new series of totally free, live webinars for students and parents. From cracking tricky word problems to exploring the future of AI, your child will learn from some of the brightest teachers and experts around.

Be on the lookout! Next week, we’ll share how to sign up for a free session and save your spot.

Click the button to join our email list and get notified when registration opens!

Is College Still Worth It? Navigating the New Educational Landscape

For decades, the path to success was clear: get good grades, go to college, and land a steady job. But in 2025, that formula is starting to shift — and fast.

As artificial intelligence and automation transform industries, many parents are wondering:

Is a college degree still worth it?

A growing number of companies — including Google, IBM, and Apple — no longer require four-year degrees for many positions. Instead, they’re hiring based on skills, not diplomas. IBM’s hiring site openly states that nearly half of its U.S. roles don’t require a bachelor’s degree. And they're not alone — a LinkedIn study found that 72% of employers say they place more weight on job-specific skills than on where (or if) a candidate went to college.

It’s part of a larger trend called “skills-based hiring,” and it’s disrupting the traditional college-to-career pipeline.

Meanwhile, the cost of college continues to rise, with student loan debt in the U.S. topping $1.7 trillion. At the same time, access to free or affordable learning platforms like Coursera, edX, and Google Career Certificates is giving students new ways to build high-demand skills — often in months, not years.

That doesn’t mean college is obsolete.

For many careers (especially in medicine, engineering, law, and academia), a degree is still necessary.

And of course, the value of college is no longer just the degree itself.

It’s really about what students do with those four years — the internships, projects, networking, and critical thinking they develop. And for kids growing up in today’s world, it’s increasingly important to teach them that learning is not a one-time event, but a lifelong habit.

As parents, the real challenge isn't just helping our kids get into college. It’s helping them build the kind of mindset and adaptability that will serve them regardless of the path they choose.

Because in the AI era, success won’t just go to the degree-holders. It will go to the learners — the curious, the creative, and the bold.

What Employers Are Looking for in the AI Era

In an AI-driven world, technical skills are important, but soft skills are becoming increasingly valuable. According to a LinkedIn survey of hiring managers, 92% say soft skills like initiative and adaptability are just as important (or more important) than hard skills when evaluating candidates.

Employers are seeking individuals who can think critically, solve problems creatively, and adapt to new challenges. These skills are essential for navigating a rapidly changing job market and can be developed through everyday experiences and intentional learning.

ICYMI: We recently posted a newsletter on the top skills every child should build for future success. Catch up and read the post by clicking the button below!

Last week, we asked: “Do you think we’re helping or hindering kids when it comes to failure?”

And the results were completely split!

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Protecting them from failure does more harm than good (0)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 It’s about finding a balance (8)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Failure is a powerful tool for growth (8)

We’d also like to give a shout-out to Connie for her extremely thoughtful response after voting!

Failure can be an incredible teacher, but only when kids are developmentally ready to process and grow from it.

It’s all about finding that middle ground… not shielding them entirely, but also not throwing them into the deep end without support! We love how you framed it as a “missed opportunity” when we shield too much — such a powerful reminder. 🙌

We’re asking parents like you to share their thoughts on topics that matter each week! Cast your vote and see what others think! We’ll chat more about the results next week. 👀

1. BigFuture by College Board - A career exploration tool for teens that links interests and skills to potential future paths.

2. Skillshare - While designed for adults, many Skillshare courses are teen-friendly — think: graphic design, video editing, freelancing, and creative entrepreneurship.

3. Code At Home Activities from Girls Who Code - Free computer science activities for students, educators, and parents

4. TED Talk: Will AI hire you for your next job? - “The hiring process is becoming inundated with AI, with more and more companies using it to review resumes, administer tests and even interview their applicants. But are these systems actually able to identify quality job candidates?”

Until Next Week…

As we navigate a world where AI, soft skills, and ever-changing careers reshape what success looks like, one thing is clear — our role as parents matters more than ever. By encouraging curiosity, adaptability, and confidence, we’re not just preparing our kids for jobs — we’re helping them thrive in life.

Let’s keep the conversation going, keep asking the big questions, and keep showing up for one another. Your voice, your questions, and your wisdom help shape this community. Thanks for joining us in raising kind, capable, and confident humans. We’re so glad you’re here.

❤️ Loved this issue? Have thoughts, questions, or topic ideas?

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