Google Board Member - AI Education Discussion

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of joining Marty Chavez on a panel about AI and education. As both the founder of Curious Cardinals and a Gen-Z educator, I found myself in a fascinating dialogue with someone who brings multiple unique perspectives to this conversation: Marty sits on Alphabet's (Google's parent company) board, served as Goldman Sachs' CFO/CIO, studied AI at Stanford in the 90s when it was still taboo to call it "AI," and homeschools his own kids.

Our dynamic discussion revealed surprising insights about what really matters for our children's future. What emerged was a rich conversation between a next-gen educator and a tech industry veteran about how to prepare kids for an AI-powered world.

Here are the highlights:

• AI is an incredible tool for nurturing curiosity and creativity (versus rote memorization)
• Kids need to learn to leverage AI appropriately 
• Make AI fun - think creative storytelling, not homework help
• Parents must lead the way - we can't guide what we don't understand

A pic from Sunday's AI & Education panel

"Don't memorize what you can look up." - Einstein 

Even before computers, Einstein knew that memorization wasn't the end goal. In today's AI era, information is more accessible than ever. The crucial skill? Learning to ask the right questions.

For starters, it’s not that your kid won’t memorize some fundamental truths. But as Albert Einstein said in the pre-digital age: “Don’t memorize what you can already look up.” In an AI era, information has never been so accessible. So rather than pushing for more rote memorization, AI is the impetus to raise the bar for how we educate the next generation. The most crucial skill will be learning how to ask the right questions. 

What do I mean by this?

The "GPS Method" for Understanding AI 

Think of AI like a GPS. Say "Take me somewhere fun" and you might end up at a bar or a playground. Say "Take me somewhere fun, kid-friendly, within 10 miles" and you'll get exactly what you need. AI excels at answering well-posed questions (“What is 2 + 2?”) but struggles with abstract ones like "What is happiness?" or questions that emanate from not knowing what you want. The lesson? Critical thinking matters more than ever.

Real-World Example: AI as a Learning Companion

When I visited Tokyo this June, I was puzzled: how is the city so clean with no trash cans? So I asked my AI companion (ChatGPT) on my phone. It instantly explained a bombing incident in 1996 that led to this policy change and how cultural attitudes allow adherence to collective cleanliness. Throughout my trip, I used AI constantly - to translate menu items when ordering ice cream, decode subway signs, and understand cultural customs.

Egg salad from 7-11!

I found myself asking more questions, not fewer. Rather than dampening my curiosity, having instant answers made me even more inquisitive. This is how our kids will learn – using AI as a tool to explore further and dig deeper, not think less.

"But Will They Get Jobs?"

In 1900, over 40% of Americans worked in agriculture. Today? Less than 2%. As Marty shared from Goldman Sachs when algorithms arrived, traders didn't vanish – their roles evolved.

The reality? It's two-fold: Yes, knowing how to leverage AI will become essential for getting jobs, AND the bar for expertise will rise dramatically. Think about translators: while AI can now handle basic translations, UN-level translators are in higher demand than ever. Why? Because they offer nuanced cultural understanding and contextual expertise that AI can't match. 

This pattern will repeat across industries: AI will handle the basics, pushing humans to develop deeper expertise and more sophisticated skills. The future belongs not just to those who can use AI, but to those who can elevate their expertise above what AI can do.

How to Introduce AI to Your Kids (Beyond Homework)

Instead of resisting AI or using it for schoolwork, focus on creative entry points:

1. Visual Creation

• Turn their story ideas into illustrations
  • See here how I use AI to create fun cartoons!
    

2. Learning Through Questions

• Deep dive into their random curiosities ("Why do zebras have stripes?")

3. Fun Family & Friend Activities

• Design weekend scavenger hunts, murder mystery parties, or even thematic crossword puzzles

The key is starting with what naturally interests your child and using AI to expand on it, rather than forcing structured activities or unethical use cases.

On the note of unethical… 

Teaching Digital Discernment

Just as we taught kids about stranger danger online in 1995, today we need to teach them to question what looks and sounds human. Three key questions:

1. "Where did this come from?" 🔍 AI pulls from many sources – not all reliable
2. "Why do I trust this?" 🎯 Even AI can show bias
3. "Fact or opinion?" ⚖️ AI can sound confident about opinions

The Bottom Line

AI isn't replacing curiosity – it's rocket fuel for it. Our job isn't to restrict it but to guide its use while nurturing the timeless human skills technology can't replace.

Need Help Getting Your Child Started with AI? 

At Curious Cardinals, we make it simple. Our mentors help students:

• Learn how to use AI to help with executive function, homework planning, time management
• Use AI to launch their own business or creative projects (it's never been easier!)
• Create their own podcast, blog, or policy writing exploring AI's impact on society
• Build a strategic college roadmap and explore future careers with AI guidance

Special Opportunity - Speak with My Co-Founder:

Book a 1:1 consultation with my co-founder Alec Katz (Stanford Aerospace Engineering, Forbes 30 Under 30) to start your child's AI education.

On behalf of the Curious Cardinals team