Daniel Susskind’s new book challenges the fear surrounding Artificial Intelligence in classrooms, arguing that embracing AI is the only way to prepare the next generation for an unpredictable job market.
- AI should be integrated into education as a tool, not feared as a replacement.
- The shift from Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) will redefine the meaning of work.
- Personalized AI tutoring can replace the 'one-size-fits-all' approach to classroom teaching.
In the late 1970s, the introduction of the handheld calculator sparked a moral panic among educators who feared it would erode basic arithmetic skills. However, the Cockcroft Report of 1979 urged schools to embrace the technology rather than fight it. In his provocative new book, What Should My Children Do?, Daniel Susskind positions himself as a modern-day advocate for a similar shift, this time regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Susskind, a former Downing Street policy advisor and researcher at the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University, argues that the current anxiety surrounding AI is a repeat of historical patterns. While the scale of AI's impact is exponentially larger than that of the calculator, the core lesson remains: technological progress cannot be dodged. The book addresses the deep-seated 'techno-angst' parents feel when realizing that the career advice they gave their children last year might already be obsolete.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the transition from Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI)—which performs specific tasks like ChatGPT—to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—which can outperform humans in all economically useful tasks—is no longer science fiction but an imminent economic reality. The traditional educational model of 'future-proofing' specific skills, such as coding, is failing because AI is rapidly mastering those very skills.
The goal of modern education should not be to compete with AI, but to learn how to orchestrate AI to solve complex human problems.
Susskind envisions a revolution in personalized learning. Instead of a teacher attempting to manage a 'blob' of 30 students with varying needs, AI-driven assistant tutors can provide tailored instruction. This allows human teachers to focus on mentorship and higher-order critical thinking. For professionals, this means moving away from the 'drudgery' of entry-level tasks—such as legal document review—and using AI simulations to hone their craft much earlier in their careers.
The book also serves as a wake-up call for mid-career professionals. Susskind warns against the delusion of 'safe' professions. He suggests that instead of retreating to inherited practices, workers must reimagine the core problems their professions solve and determine how to solve them more efficiently using AI assistance.
| Era | Disruptive Tech | Initial Fear | Susskind's Recommended Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | Calculators | Loss of basic arithmetic | Teach with and without the device |
| 2020s | Generative AI/AGI | Total job obsolescence | Personalized learning & AI orchestration |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between ANI and AGI?
ANI (Artificial Narrow Intelligence) is designed for specific tasks, like language translation or chess. AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) refers to a theoretical AI that can perform any intellectual task a human can.
Q2: Should children still learn to code in the age of AI?
Susskind suggests that while basic skills are important, focusing solely on coding as a 'safe' career path is risky, as AI is becoming exceptionally proficient at writing code.
