Preparing the Next Generation for an AI-Driven World- Part 2

by: Oscar A. Rodriguez, MBA

My first article on Ai and parenting was so well received that I was compelled to write part two. I was humbled by how many parents, teachers, and leaders reached out. The messages were filled with curiosity, hope, and concern. Most weren’t asking about algorithms or coding. They were asking how to protect what’s sacred about childhood in a world that’s changing faster than any of us imagined. That response reminded me that this conversation isn’t about gadgets or apps. It’s about raising grounded, thoughtful humans who can use technology wisely without losing their sense of empathy and purpose.

Seven years ago my wife and I made one of the most meaningful decisions of our lives to home school our children. We wanted to be intentional about what they learn, how they learn, and who they become. It wasn’t about rejecting traditional education but about creating a life that encourages curiosity, balance, and strong character. In our home, learning happens everywhere. Around the kitchen table, in the backyard, and through technology. Tools like AI have naturally become part of that rhythm. Even my youngest, who is just eight, constantly asks how he can use AI to help with projects or ideas. He’ll say things like, “Daddy, can ChatGPT help me build something new in Minecraft?” or “Can it help me write a story?” That curiosity excites me because it shows how comfortable this generation is with innovation. But it also challenges me to teach him that AI is a support, not a substitute. It is a tool for thinking, not a thinker itself.

AI should serve as a foundation for creativity and problem solving, not something to rely on completely. It can help brainstorm ideas, clarify thoughts, or accelerate learning, but it also makes mistakes that sound convincing. That’s why discernment matters. Whether you are guiding a child or leading a business, the principle is the same. Technology should elevate human thinking, not replace it. We are living through one of the biggest shifts in modern history. AI is transforming how we communicate, learn, and make decisions. PwC projects that AI could add more than 15.7 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2030. Grand View Research estimates the global AI market will grow from 279 billion dollars in 2024 to over 3.5 trillion by 2033. This is not a passing trend. It is the new infrastructure of business and life. For those of us in financial services, this transformation is already shaping how we interpret data, engage clients, and deliver advice. The leaders who will thrive are those who balance technical skill with human insight.

Of course, with this growth comes unease. People fear job displacement, privacy loss, and the erosion of human creativity. Others worry about misinformation or decisions made by systems we do not fully understand. Those fears are legitimate, but they also remind us of our responsibility. AI is not inherently good or bad. It is a mirror. It reflects the intentions and ethics of the people who guide it. When my eight year old asked to use ChatGPT for a Minecraft project, we sat down together. We wrote prompts, tested ideas, failed a few times, and celebrated small wins. It wasn’t about building something digital. It was about developing resilience, curiosity, and patience. The same mindset applies to our work. We do not need to master every new tool immediately. What matters is how we learn, adapt, and use technology to think better and serve others more effectively.

Here are a few practical ways professionals in financial services can engage with AI intentionally and confidently:

Stay curious and experiment: Treat AI as a creative partner, not a shortcut. Use it to brainstorm client strategies, improve communication, or simplify workflows. Then review what it produces with a critical and experienced eye. Your expertise gives meaning to the data.

Use AI to strengthen relationships: Let technology handle repetitive or analytical tasks so you can focus on what truly builds trust: meaningful conversations, empathy, and service. The best advisors will always be the ones who understand people, not just numbers.

Model discernment and integrity: AI can produce results that sound accurate but are incomplete or biased. Verify everything. Clients and colleagues notice when you lead with integrity and thoughtfulness. That credibility is your strongest differentiator.

Invest in learning: The pace of change will not slow down. Stay informed. Attend trainings, read case studies, and explore how others in the industry are using AI effectively. The more you understand, the more confident and adaptable you become.

Still, for all the innovation happening, the human element remains irreplaceable. The warmth of a genuine conversation, the trust built through consistency, and the empathy that comes from truly listening will always matter more than any machine learning model. The advisors, leaders, and parents who thrive in the coming years will be those who remember that technology is at its best when it amplifies our humanity, not when it tries to imitate it.

In our home, and in my work, I approach AI with open eyes and grounded values. My hope is to raise kids, and lead teams, who use technology to think deeper, act wiser, and serve better. Because while AI may one day power the systems around us, it will never replace the values within us. So whether you are raising children or guiding clients, view AI as a partner in progress. Let it handle the predictable so you can focus on the purposeful. Teach those around you to use it well, question it often, and keep humanity at the center of every decision. The future doesn’t belong to machines. It belongs to people who understand them, guide them, and fill them with purpose. That is the kind of future worth building together.

If you want a book that explores how humanity and technology can grow together, I have a great recommendation. Read it, reflect on it, and send me your thoughts. I promise you will see AI a little differently afterward.

Onward and upward.

Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization, employer, or entity with which I am affiliated. This content is shared for informational and personal reflection purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.