Stop Treating It Like the Boogeyman - Why It's Time to Embrace AI in the Classroom and Beyond

As an internet wellness advocate, I spend a lot of time talking about digital safety, screen time, and keeping our kids protected online. But let me be clear—I fully support AI being introduced in the classroom. Why? Because whether we like it or not, AI isn’t something that’s coming—it’s already here. It’s reshaping industries, changing how we work, and creating entirely new career paths we couldn’t have imagined not 10 but even 2 years ago.

But, every time I turn on the news, there’s another fear-based headline about AI taking over. And, let’s be real—whether we like it or not, the future is already here. The question isn’t how do we stop it—it’s how can we pivot and prepare. We can handle this. This is the world our kids were dealt, and it’s on us to make sure they’re ready to thrive in it - no fear.

And AI isn’t some far-off thing. It’s already woven into our everyday lives—from the way we write emails and search on Google, to how we use predictive text or collaborate in Google Docs and most of your popular apps like Canva, Adobe now have AI. It's quickly being infused into all of our lives, whether we realize it or not.

As someone who works in communications in the nonprofit sector, I see it firsthand. My job didn’t even exist in this form even 5 years ago. Thanks to technology and digital tools, I can work remotely, be more present for my family, and quickly reach people all over the country. This is the positive side of tech when we learn how to leverage it. And that’s exactly the mindset I’m encouraging my kids to have too.

If you have a high school student, I highly recommend encouraging them to research the top AI companies, tools, and career paths. Writers, developers, data trainers, AI ethicists—the list is growing every day. No matter what field they’re interested in, they should be thinking now about how AI is being used in their field and how it can make their work smarter, not harder. And adults—you should too. The ability to adapt and learn how to leverage AI is increasingly becoming essential for everyone.

Our kids deserve to be part of that progress, not left behind. Around the world, other countries are already embracing AI and preparing their future workforce to lead in this space. Countries like China, South Korea, and Singapore have national AI strategies that invest heavily in education, research, and industry partnerships. China has made AI education part of its national curriculum, teaching kids about machine learning and robotics as early as elementary school. Singapore offers free public courses to help citizens—from students to seniors. While the U.S. is still debating whether AI belongs in education, other nations are moving full speed ahead to build future-ready talent.

Schools that ignore AI are leaving our kids unprepared. We need to teach students how to use AI tools responsibly, ethically, and creatively. AI can personalize learning, support students with different needs, and even help teachers save time on administrative tasks so they can focus on teaching. Let’s stop leading with fear and start leading with preparation.

The reality is, education as we know it DOES need to change. School should be more than just memorizing facts for a test—it should be a vehicle for learning, exploring, and of course, diving into academics, but the way all of that gets done has to shift. Technology has already changed every other part of our lives—from how we shop, work, and connect—so why are we still preparing students the same way we did 50 years ago? Make it make sense!!!!!!!! It’s time to reimagine school as a space where students learn how to think critically, ask better questions, and use the tools of today to solve the problems of tomorrow. The future isn’t waiting—and neither should we. Our kids deserve to walk into it ready, not worried. We have more possibilities than ever before!!

5 Ways to Prepare Your Kids for an AI-Driven Future

Talk About It Early and Often
We normalize conversations about AI in our house and they understand that AI is a tool, not magic, and it’s up to people to use it wisely.

Help Them Pivot and Prepare for What’s Next
Life will change—there’s no avoiding it. That’s why it’s so important to help your kids start researching tech trends, industries, and career paths now. Whether they want to be writers, developers, artists, or entrepreneurs, AI is already shaping the future of EVERY field. Encourage them to explore how technology is transforming the work they’re interested in. Have them look up the top AI companies, new job titles being created, and the skills that will be in demand. The ability to adapt, learn new tools, and think ahead isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the advantage they’ll need to succeed in whatever comes next.

Teach Critical Thinking, Not Just Memorization
AI can give answers, but our kids need to know how to ask the right questions, check for bias, and think through solutions.

Encourage Creativity and Human Connection
Creativity and empathy can’t be automated. From writing and art to teamwork and leadership, these are the future-proof skills that set our kids apart.

Model Responsible Tech Use
We talk openly about the downsides—AI bias, misinformation, privacy concerns—and why ethics and integrity matter. AI should be used to learn, not to cheat or mislead.

Ebony Bagley - Internet Wellness Advocate