By Claire Louge, Executive Director
I was recently at a leadership forum focused on the impact of AI at work. It featured panels of leaders from different sectors.
A panelist began a discussion suggesting AI was eroding the critical thinking skills of workers. Another panelist concurred, and added that those skills are developed in school, so AI in education was a deeper concern. Another panelist agreed that education is influential, but said that ultimately, parents are responsible for developing critical thinking in their children.
The panelists all agreed: AI may be shriveling our critical thinking skills, but building critical thinking skills in children is a parent’s responsibility.
The panel moved on.
I wish they hadn’t stopped there.
They weren’t wrong. Parents do shape critical thinking skills. Parenting is a major responsibility with major power to shape our society. Everyone knows children are the future because they eventually become the adults in charge.
But the panel helped me realize that conversations tend to end with parents being responsible – and to blame - for every problem. Parents are accountable. The End.
That’s a problem. Because blaming parents for our social ills neglects our collective responsibility to support them. Our shared responsibility to support parents.
Are we, with our policies and laws, which we all have the power to influence, creating the conditions in which all parents have the space, time, and resources to nurture those critical thinking skills we all agree children need to have?
The evidence around us says no. The cost and availability of child care. The scattered resources. The lack of paid leave. The impossible standards. Our society isn’t designed for people to be successful parents.
Changing that is our greatest opportunity. We each have the power to shape how our nation, our state, and our individual cities and towns support family life.
AI will likely shape the future of humanity, but it will not define it. Our future is in the hands of parents, and in our willingness to help them carry their responsibility.
Please vote next month. The way we support people raising children is the way we define our future.