Don’t want your children to be replaced by AI- Scientist daddy does this
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to permeate various industries, it is already taking over some jobs traditionally performed by humans. Looking ahead, it’s clear that even more tasks will eventually be handed off to AI. In light of this trend, education is stepping up to the plate—digital transformation has become a focal point for schools, and programming training is now a staple in many children’s extracurricular activities. This challenge extends beyond just schools and teachers; it is a concern for every parent as well.
From a family education perspective, the pressing question is: how can we prepare our children to ensure they are not replaced by AI in the future?
One individual grappling with this issue is Wang Yuanzhuo, known as a ‘hardcore scientist dad.’ Whether serving as a researcher at the Institute of Computing Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, specializing in big data and AI, or taking on roles as a scientific consultant for films and science communicator, he appears to be well-versed in various fields. However, when it comes to “being a dad,” he admits his experience might be a bit lacking.
Recently, he compiled his and his wife’s educational experiences over the years with their two daughters into a book titled *Zhuojian: Thoughts for Raising Children*. During the book launch event, he joined esteemed experts—including Liu Keqin, principal of Beijing No. 11 School’s Chaoyang Experimental School, Wu Xinxin, researcher at Beijing Normal University’s School of Liberal Arts, and Yung Mei, vice president of the Beijing Family Education Research Association—to discuss how parents can nurture skills in children that AI cannot replace.
Based on his understanding of AI, Wang Yuanzhuo believes that current artificial intelligence lacks true independent thinking, future planning, and complex problem-solving abilities. He argues that providing children with the creative and cognitive capabilities that machines don’t possess will secure their irreplaceable future.
In his view, activities like building space stations, creating quantum computers, painting, and good old-fashioned paper-cutting are all expressions of creativity. Drawing from his experiences, he identifies several steps to foster creativity in children: First, encourage them to think proactively and seek out their goals; then assist them in discovering their interests; next, have them brainstorm and design their action plans; and finally, guide them in the execution of their ideas. He notes, “This process generally requires the integration of two factors: innovative thinking and practical skills.”
Wang emphasizes that all forms of innovative thinking are interconnected, and when a child’s creative “spark” shines through, it’s crucial for parents to support them in pursuing it. Whether it’s encouraging his daughters to collect seashells and create shell art or collaborating on crafting kites and paper decorations, his experience shows that many everyday family situations can present opportunities to nurture creativity.
Liu Keqin echoes Wang’s sentiment about parents cultivating children’s capabilities through small yet meaningful activities. Observing Wang engaging with his children while collecting seashells and making kites, she sees a parent empowering their child to transform ideas into tangible results, particularly through “leading by example.”
“Parents must be fully present during their children’s unique childhood experiences,” Liu insists. To her, high-quality companionship doesn’t mean sitting down with the kids for homework every day; it’s about actively participating in life together.
In the book, Wang references Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s “flow” theory from positive psychology. He believes that when children overcome small difficulties to accomplish challenging tasks, they often find the experience enjoyable and rewarding, leading them into a “flow” state. This state fosters further exploration and stimulates creativity. Creative and confident children are more likely to embrace new challenges.
Moreover, Wang highlights the importance of “scientific literacy” as an essential asset for children in our rapidly advancing technological society. This doesn’t merely involve memorizing scientific facts; it’s more about inspiring children to develop problem-solving skills. Helping children enhance their analytical and problem-solving capabilities can benefit them for a lifetime.
He shares two examples: renting a plot of land in the suburbs of Beijing for seven years where he and his children engaged in activities like farming, pest control, and harvesting. Throughout these experiences, his daughters learned practical skills and garnered valuable scientific knowledge. In another instance, while reading *Dream of the Red Chamber*, his younger daughter posed a question about why Lin Daiyu is referred to as “Miss Lin” while Xue Baochai is called “Miss Bao.” Wang helped his daughter delve into the discussion and research until they found the answer.
Wu Xinxin posits that these exploratory processes matter far more than the answers themselves, as they cultivate a child’s critical thinking ability. She notes that the goal isn’t to simply label children as critical thinkers but to help them accumulate experiences that foster analytical skills.
When discussing which abilities to nurture in children today, Yung Mei adds an interesting perspective: to foster children’s intrinsic motivation, they need opportunities and space to make mistakes and unwind. She emphasizes the importance of “leaving blank spaces” in family education. According to her, future children may fall into four categories: glass balls, steel balls, rubber balls, and snowballs—where the most admirable are those that can turn setbacks into motivation, growing stronger with each challenge.
Liu Keqin also underscores the role of the home as a “harbor.” She advocates for demonstrating acceptance and tolerance, even when children falter or struggle.
The event guests resonate with Wang Yuanzhuo’s idea that a core mission of family education is to develop a child from a “natural being” into a “social being.” This involves nurturing their learning abilities, fostering independent personalities, and equipping them to solve various societal issues, ultimately helping them become “leaders” in the future.
