Geoffrey Hinton—the ‘godfather of AI’—has been sounding alarms we parents can’t ignore. Not about rogue robots, but how corporations might use AI to replace workers while fueling massive profits. His words hit differently when you’re watching your kid build block towers that crash and rebuild. This isn’t a tech failure—it’s a human one. And it got me wondering: how do we raise children who thrive with hearts full of wonder, not just resumes ready for disruption?
What’s the Real Culprit Behind AI Job Losses?
Hinton’s stark warning in the Financial Times interview cuts deep: ‘rich people will use AI to replace workers… massive unemployment and huge profit rises.’ Oof. But here’s the dad lens—he’s right to blame the system, not silicon. The same AI that helps kids learn math through playful apps could also shrink workplaces. So what’s our move? Stop fixating on ‘AI-proof’ careers. Focus instead on nurturing kids who adapt like dandelions in concrete—finding cracks to bloom. That resilience? It starts not in coding classes, but when they rebuild that knocked-over block castle with laughter, not tears.
How Can We Foster Grit and Curiosity in Kids?
You know what algorithms can’t replicate? The spark in a child’s eyes when they turn a fallen branch into a pirate sword. Or how they negotiate snack-sharing with sticky fingers and big hearts. Hinton’s warning really highlights what truly matters: skills no machine masters. Curiosity isn’t just for science kits—it’s what makes puddles into oceans and clouds into dragons during a walk. Empathy isn’t ‘soft’—it’s how kids navigate playground squabbles and later, boardrooms. Resilience? Forget flawless transcripts. It’s learning that ‘I’ll try again’ matters more than ‘I got it right.’ How? Let boredom breathe. Swap one scheduled activity for cardboard-box fort building. Notice how their voices lift when they solve problems themselves—not via apps. That’s the quiet revolution: raising humans, not hirable bots.
Why Swap Digital Hustle for Real-World Wonder?
When Hinton talks profits over people, it echoes in our parenting choices. Tech isn’t the villain—but passive scrolling won’t teach what dirt-under-fingernails play does. Why not turn screen time into soul time? Next rainy day, build a blanket fort with flashlights: physics (gravity defied!), storytelling (what monsters lurk?), and connection (giggles in the dark). Bake together—measuring flour becomes stealth math, kneading dough teaches cause-and-effect. Take a ‘sensory scavenger hunt’: find something smooth, something that smells like rain, something that makes music when you tap it. These moments build neural pathways no AI can mimic. And if they sketch a robot friend after? Wonderful—but let the crayons come first. Tech as a tool, not the teacher.
What’s the Future of Raising Joyful Humans?
Hinton’s profit-versus-people forecast isn’t fate—it’s fuel for better choices. The goal of parenting isn’t job security; it’s humans who find meaning beyond paychecks. Imagine your child choosing work that lights them up because they’ve learned to listen to their inner compass. How? Start small: Celebrate effort over outcome (‘You kept rearranging those puzzle pieces—persistence!’). Plant kindness seeds: ‘Let’s bake cookies for the neighbor who’s lonely.’ Teach that their worth isn’t tied to productivity. And speaking of everyday moments, on overcast days like today, when the sky feels heavy, remember: the best inheritance isn’t a stable career path—it’s a heart that knows how to build forts, mend friendships, and find joy in a fallen leaf. That’s the future worth raising. What small moment of wonder will you create today?
Source: “That’s not AI’s fault, that is the capitalist system” — The ‘Godfather of AI’ warns how the tech will wipe out jobs but boost profits, Windows Central, 2025/09/08 11:41:35