Ai kids: neuroscientist warns schools are falling behind

Vivienne Ming, a neuroscientist and founder of The Human Trust, is raising alarm bells about the education system’s unpreparedness for a future dominated by artificial intelligence. She’s raising her own children amidst a rapidly expanding landscape of AI tools – from writing assistants to complex problem-solvers – and believes our current approach to learning is fundamentally flawed.

The skills gap is widening fast

Ming argues that schools are still prioritizing rote memorization and the ability to regurgitate information, skills that will quickly become obsolete as AI takes over these tasks. Her concern isn’t about children using AI, but about the methods used to assess their knowledge. ‘The gap between what we teach and what will be useful is going to grow, not shrink,’ she stated in a recent CNBC interview. The data backs her up – a Common Sense Media report reveals that 59% of teenagers between 12 and 17 are already leveraging AI for research.

Parents and even the children themselves increasingly believe that AI will become such a pervasive tool that many individuals will struggle to function without it. This reliance, she warns, risks weakening critical thinking skills and fostering a passive acceptance of information presented on screen.

Re-thinking education: a ming method

So, what’s Ming doing differently at home? She’s implemented three key practices, designed to cultivate a mindset that’s adaptable and resilient in the face of rapidly evolving technology. Firstly, she employs a ‘curriculum of failures,’ meticulously documenting her children’s attempts – and the lessons learned – from setbacks. It's not about encouraging self-help; it’s about reframing mistakes as integral to the learning process, a deliberate rejection of the shame often associated with failure.

Secondly, she fosters ‘serendipity’ through a deliberately chaotic home environment – a collection of disassembled objects, open-ended projects, and diverse materials. The goal is to encourage experimentation and problem-solving without prescribed solutions, a skill rarely fostered by traditional examinations. Finally, Ming utilizes AI not as a source of answers, but as a sparring partner. Her children develop their own solutions before engaging with a chatbot to identify flaws and alternative approaches – a process of critical interrogation, not passive consumption.

Ming’s overarching philosophy isn't about resisting AI, but about redirecting educational priorities. She’s advocating for a shift away from measuring success based on data recall and towards cultivating the ability to learn, adapt, and think critically – a skillset that will remain invaluable in a world increasingly shaped by intelligent machines. Her work, alongside that of The Human Trust, is a stark reminder that the future of education hinges on our ability to prepare children not just with AI, but for it.”n