Machines will be smarter than your kids. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently delivered this message on the ReThinking podcast with Adam Grant. Have parents and educators started preparing the next generations for a world of superintelligent machines? Altman’s insights may offer a roadmap.
My Kids Won’t Be Smarter Than AI
Altman didn’t mince words: “You and I are living through this once-in-human-history transition where humans go from being the smartest thing on planet Earth to not the smartest thing on planet Earth.” This statement might sound like a surrender, but for parents and educators, it is a challenge. The rise of autonomous systems that can reason, learn, and solve problems faster than any human means we’ll need to rethink what intelligence really looks like.
Altman’s perspective doesn't need to be a grim forecast. It’s a call to focus on what makes us uniquely human. AI may dominate raw cognition, but it lacks our emotional depth, moral reasoning, and ability to connect. As Altman told Grant, “Talking to a flawless, perfectly empathetic thing all of the time... you miss the drama or the tension. We’re just wired to care about what other people think and feel.”
This is an invitation for parents and educators to rethink the types of intelligence that we prioritize as our children grow up. Will it be necessary for education to focus so much on transferring knowledge or will it be more beneficial to focus on emotional intelligence and other human skills?
Redefining Success
By the time younger generations leave education, they will coexist with AI. Altman anticipates a profound change in which human-machine collaboration becomes the standard. “There will be a kind of ability we still really value, but it will not be raw intellectual horsepower to the same degree,” he explained.
We can get angry at the apparent attack on human relevance or we can adapt. Helping the next generation become agile learners is paramount. As Altman put it, “Figuring out what questions to ask will be more important than figuring out the answer.”
AI is already transforming industries, automating repetitive tasks, and augmenting human capabilities. While this disruption may displace some jobs, it’s also creating opportunities for roles that leverage distinctly human strengths. Altman’s advocacy for universal basic income reflects his belief in giving people the freedom to pursue entrepreneurial and creative endeavors without the constant pressure of traditional employment.
Educators and parents can prepare children for this future by emphasizing adaptability, collaboration, and lifelong learning. These skills will help them not just keep up with the pace of change but lead it.
Who Sets The Rules?
One of Altman’s most urgent messages is that humanity must take charge of AI’s ethical direction. “Humans have got to set the rules; AI can follow them, but we’ve got to collectively decide what those rules are,” he emphasized.
The rapid rise of AI comes with risks. Algorithmic bias to the concentration of power in the hands of a few tech giants. Altman’s vision for cooperative AI—systems designed to complement human effort while adhering to ethical guidelines—is essential for the future. For parents and educators, this means teaching the next generation not only how to use AI but how to question it, challenge it, and shape its evolution.
Critics point out that safeguards often lag behind AI’s deployment. Altman’s call for transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in AI development underscores the need for a collaborative, proactive approach. Schools and families can play a role by fostering digital literacy and encouraging young people to engage in discussions about the ethical implications of technology.
Beyond Intelligence
Altman’s reflections go beyond the technical to the deeply personal. In a world where AI systems may outthink humans, what does it mean to live a fulfilling life? For Altman, the answer lies in celebrating what makes us human.
“You’ll find very quickly that talking to a flawless, perfectly empathetic thing all the time... it doesn’t fulfill the social need to be part of a group and a society,” he said. AI can enhance our lives, but it can’t replace the connections, struggles, and joys that define human existence.
He also sees AI as a tool for tackling big challenges like climate change, healthcare, and education. The potential for AI-driven solutions is vast, but so is the responsibility to ensure those benefits are broadly shared. Parents and educators have a crucial role in fostering a sense of responsibility and global citizenship in the next generation.
Optimism With A Dose Of Realism
Altman walks a fine line between optimism and caution. He sees AI as a tool to amplify human potential. “The only world [future generations] will know is a world with AI in it. And that’ll be natural. Of course, it’s smarter than us; of course, it can do things we can’t. But also, who really cares?”
Instead of asking how we compete with machines, Altman invites us to imagine how we can thrive alongside them. It’s about preparing children not to outsmart machines but to outshine them with uniquely human qualities.
Building The Future Together
As AI reshapes every aspect of our lives, Altman’s vision challenges us to embrace change with open eyes and open minds. From redefining education and work to addressing ethical dilemmas, the path forward demands creativity, collaboration, and courage.
For parents and educators, the stakes couldn’t be higher, but neither could the opportunities. By nurturing the qualities that make us human, we can equip the next generation to navigate a world where humans and machines don’t just coexist but thrive together. As Altman reminds us, intelligence — whether human or artificial — is only a tool. It’s how we use it that defines who we are and what we can achieve.
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