Ever watched your little one turn a cardboard box into a spaceship? I mean, seriously—how do they do that? One second it’s trash, the next they’re launching into space missions. That’s the kind of genius Indonesia’s deputy minister is talking about when he says our kids need to grow up with AI—not afraid of it, but excited by it. He called AI not just a necessity—but an obligation!
Kinda made me stop. Made me think: what if we helped our kids see AI as their biggest +1 in life? Not a boss or a replacement, but a creative partner who turns imagination into something real?
Raw Materials to Rockets: Why Innovation Beats Replacement
Here’s the thing. Deputy Minister Atip Latipulhayat was spot on—he said aluminum alone won’t fly. You take raw materials, you add innovation, and boom—you’ve got planes taking off across the sky. It’s like giving a child a pile of LEGOs and watching them build something so incredible, you start wondering where they get all those ideas!
That’s exactly what AI offers. Not a rival, not even competition. It’s like having a magic assistant ready to help craft the vision—whether that’s drawing a dragon, writing a story, or turning a backyard game into a family championship season. Our kids are natural innovators! They negotiate, they imagine, they invent—exactly the skills AI can’t replace!
Jobs Will Change, But Hearts Won’t
Okay, let’s talk jobs. Yeah, 92 million? That’s scary stuff, right? But then there’s this—170 million *new* ones coming! Seems like we’re trading out old toys for shiny new ones, only this time, with more cool features and better graphics (metaphorically speaking).
The Indonesian leaders get it: future skills aren’t buried in code lines. It’s in storytelling, empathy, leadership—it’s pulling together ideas, working with others, asking interesting questions. These are the things our kids do naturally when they’re trying to convince you dinosaurs hid under the bed, or convincing friends to join their “save the backyard animals” mission. Let’s encourage more of that!
Lifelong Learners, Not Just Job Seekers
Al-Azhar University said something powerful: be lifelong learners who chase both knowledge and purpose. Isn’t that what every parent wishes for their child? Not just good grades—but curiosity, kindness, wonder, and direction.
Imagine a world where we help kids blend high-tech tools with timeless values—integrity, compassion, courage. Something clicks when we mix learning with meaning. Think of it like adding love to a meal—suddenly everything… fits. Works. Feels right. AI can crunch numbers, but only warm hearts understand how to treat someone when numbers fall short.
Parenting in the AI Era: Tools, Not Terrors
Alrighty, so how exactly do we make tech feel safe instead of scary?
Let’s treat AI like the adventurous co-pilot it is—not someone driving the car, but someone pointing out cool stuff along the way. We’re still holding the wheel. Together, it becomes less about screens and more about stories.
Try this:
- Spark curiosity: Use AI to dig into fun facts, like why stars twinkle or how octopi change colors, *then* go outside or build models to bring it to life!
- Balance screen time: Coolest castles in video games inspired some of the world’s best real ones. Virtual tour, check. Then heck yes—we built a blanket fortress that evening!
- Chat about ethics: Even little ones get fairness. Ask them, “What makes a good robot friend? Will machines ever care like we do?” Those conversations shape character, not just skill.
Anyway, back to the bigger picture…
The Bigger Picture: Global Lessons from Indonesia
Indonesia’s not just thinking local—they’re pushing global conversations on fair AI access. That’s a powerful message for us parents too: tech should level playing fields, not create new divides. Just like how our parks welcome all kids, AI should aim for that same sense of fairness and community.
Their focus? Putting humans at the heart of progress. Exactly how we should parent. First come the kids—with their wild ideas, their eager questions, their empathy. Then come the tools—whether that’s paintbrushes, playdough, or prompt-powered apps. All there to help them create, explore, and connect.
Your Family’s AI Adventure Starts Now
So here’s the wrap-up: AI isn’t here to frighten us, it’s time to take the reins—and steer toward awesome adventures yet to unfold. And hey, if today your child asked an app a silly question just for laughs? Don’t roll your eyes. Smile. They’re not testing tech—they’re learning to talk TO the future.
And with truths like genuine care, creativity, and courage guiding their steps, they won’t just keep up with change—they’ll lead it.
Because every great invention starts with a simple “what if…”. And who better to dream up tomorrow than today’s creative kids?
Source: Indonesia: AI a must, not a threat, deputy minister says, Antara News, 2025/09/06
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