Words: Nyah Schiessl, Photography: Slingshot Films
Recently, I have found myself in more and more conversations with parents who are concerned about what the future holds in a world that is increasingly shaped by AI. Hearing ‘I am afraid of what it means for the future of my children,’ prompts one to explore what we can learn from these feelings of fear and how we can build more reassuring futures for our kids. Instinctively, we fear the unknown. However, I believe we are at the exact moment in time when we must lean into the things that AI cannot replace, so our community can grow in a way that is well-grounded and profoundly human.
Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world,” have always resonated with me – albeit a little cliche. But lately it’s taken on a new significance. We find ourselves in a modern era of rapid change, and these words remind us to embody the direction we wish our children’s future to take. Not to fear the unknown and instead lean into what we do know.
When used wisely, AI is a helpful tool that can benefit us in many ways – an example being reducing human error in crucial environments like healthcare and safety research. Of course, there’s a real possibility that AI will change certain jobs, and it’s natural to feel unsettled. But we’ve been here before. When tractors were introduced, many feared they would take away farming jobs forever. In reality, they transformed the agricultural industry, freeing people from backbreaking labor and allowing them to focus on other skills and contributions. Things shifted, and people adapted.
Perhaps what we fear today isn’t the increase of AI itself, but the increase in distance from our own creative power, from our connection to one another and our communities. Maybe what’s needed is not fear of new technology, but a recommitment to our human consciousness.
If you are a parent, worrying about what all this means for your children, remember the difference will be made by the people who see change not as a threat, but as a reason to act with more intention… to connect, to nurture, and to ask what is needed to build rewarding lives for our children. Rest assured that there are so many parents, teachers, and deep-thinkers, who lead a quiet revolution within our society, understanding the importance of nourishing the traits that AI will never replace, and passing these strengths onto the next generation.
We are being urged to rethink the systems we’ve long accepted, something that is bound to happen when we are sitting in the mouth of change. Will the way we test students change? Instead of expecting original essays from our children, should we reward their inquisitiveness and creative storytelling instead? Should school children still be quizzed on memorising information when there are computers that will beat them every time? We don’t know. But we do know that even though AI can process information faster than we ever will, it can’t teach love, curiosity, or wonder. These are things only we can give to our children.
I’ve been feeling inspired by many conversations I have had recently within the Jersey community. A few weeks ago my Grandma and I had a stall for our small business, ‘Old Bagz,’ at the Maker’s Market – a beautiful new craft market held at the Yard (shoutout @makersmarket.jsy). We spoke with local retail business owners who were shifting away from off-island, mass produced goods in favor of locally-made, sustainable products. We also had great chats with many people who valued the creative work of individual people and wanted to support them.
Not long ago, I also caught up with Ben Robertson, a local artist many of you will know as @bokraworld on Instagram. We discussed the impact of AI on creative jobs, but with a more positive twist. Recognising a sneaky movement on the island, Ben mentioned that he has noticed an increase in the number of hand-painted signwriting commissions he has been receiving. Proof that there’s still deep appreciation on our island for craftsmanship and a human touch in design. Perhaps deeper than ever, as people begin to realise their role in resisting a complete ‘takeover’ by technology.
It was a powerful reminder that the small, conscious choices- choosing to buy locally, supporting the artists among us, and giving back to our community, will shape the world our children inherit. Instead of focusing on the ‘what-ifs’ and the unknown, we get to decide if we let fear write the story for us, or if we tune in and celebrate irreplaceable human creativity and connection.
We still hold the power to create the world we want to live in. Let this be your reminder: do more with your hands. Take a trip to the library, learn and research through books where you can. Write in your journal. Paint, sculpt, sing, and host dinner parties. Walk barefoot in the grass. Show your children, and yourself, that keeping touch with what makes you human is not just important.
It’s everything.
@nnyyah
