Every year, I take first day of school photos of my daughters with a poster where they write down things like their favourite foods and answer the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’ve gotten interesting responses such as “superhero” and “mom”. I prided myself on not being judgmental and not pushing them into a particular career. But this year, I ditched the poster completely. Why? Because asking kids what they want to be when they grow up just doesn’t make sense anymore. A recent MIT study found that 60 per cent of today’s jobs in the US didn’t even exist in 1940. Think data scientist, cybersecurity analyst, YouTuber, ADHD coach…. Asking this question also implies that they can only “become” one thing when they grow up. It’s very finite and limiting.
With AI transforming the workplace faster than we can keep up, asking kids to pick one job for life is like asking them to stick with one flavour of ice cream forever—boring and outdated!
Instead of focusing on one career path, let’s develop mindsets that will keep our children flexible, prepared and relevant in an AI-first future.
Here are five mindsets to cultivate to prepare them for an AI-first future:
1. Failure is part of the process
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Many education systems emphasise perfection, often treating failure as something to be avoided at all costs. Many of us can relate to bringing home a 95 per cent on a test, only to be greeted with the classic question: “What happened to the other five points?” 😂
In a recent learning module I attended at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, we discussed how systems that discourage failure tend to produce more risk-averse and less entrepreneurial individuals. But in an AI-driven world, it’s the creators, innovators, and risk-takers who come out on top because the routine tasks will be automated.
To foster more innovation in our children, we must help them see failure as a valuable part of the learning process — not something to be feared. This shift teaches them resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills, all of which will be essential in the future.
2. Stay curious and adaptable
When NVIDIA’s CEO said kids might not need to learn coding because AI will handle it, I had to pause. But he’s right — things are changing fast. Instead of teaching our kids just one skill, like coding, we should help them develop a love for learning new things. That way, when AI or any new technology changes the rules of the game, they’ll be ready to adapt because they love to learn new things.
3. Solve problems, don’t fear them
AI will handle the routine stuff, but humans will still need to solve complex, messy problems. Help your kids develop critical thinking skills so they can approach challenges and ambiguous problems with confidence. Teach them that it’s okay to not have all the answers right away—they’ll figure it out with time and creativity.
4. Turn passions into paychecks
I love seeing people turn their “non-traditional” passions into income. My high school friend transitioned from being a doctor to becoming an entrepreneur, healthcare advocate, best-selling author, and influencer. In an AI-powered future, our kids need to know that it’s not just about “getting a good job.” They can make money from what they love—whether that’s art, gaming, or something totally new, as long as they are financially literate and entrepreneurial.
5. Lead with values and soft skills
As AI takes over more technical tasks, it’s our values that will matter most. Teach your kids to lead with empathy, kindness, and collaboration. Sometimes these are referred to as “soft” skills in the workplace. It’s not a surprise that over 75 per cent of corporate transformation initiatives fail because of exclusive focus on technical or process versus the “soft” or the people. In a world where machines can do a lot of the work, what will set them apart is how they connect with people and stand by their values.
Instead of asking, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” let’s nurture these five mindsets and our children will have a great shot at being unstoppable and living a life with meaning.
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