Navigating the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence often leaves parents feeling like they are perpetually playing catch-up. However, a recent dialogue with Michele L. Jawando—a former Google executive, civil rights attorney, and current CEO of the Omidyar Network—offers a refreshing pivot from anxiety toward a sense of genuine agency. Jawando, who co-chairs the Humanity AI coalition, balances her high-level tech advocacy with the daily realities of raising four children in an intergenerational household. Her perspective suggests that while the digital landscape is changing, the fundamental role of the parent remains the most powerful force in shaping how that technology serves our families.
Understanding the “Curiosity Gap” in Gen Z’s Relationship with AI
Current data regarding youth and technology can be sobering. Recent research from Gallup indicates a sharp decline in enthusiasm for AI among Gen Z, with excitement dropping significantly while feelings of frustration and anger rise. This trend suggests a generation that is increasingly skeptical of the digital tools they have inherited.
Jawando views this shift not as a sign of hopelessness, but as a “curiosity gap.” While optimism is dipping, nearly half of Gen Z remains deeply curious. This curiosity is rooted in critical thinking; young people are beginning to question whether the tools available to them actually align with their needs and values. They are moving away from passive consumption toward a more discerning, “digital native” skepticism that demands higher-quality, more meaningful technology.
Why Artificial Intelligence is a Design Choice, Not an Inevitable Destiny
One of the most vital insights for parents is the realization that AI is not an immovable force of nature; it is a product of human design. Drawing from her experience at Google—where she worked on accessibility for the National Federation for the Blind—Jawando emphasizes that technology is at its best when it serves to connect people and solve real-world problems. The pitfalls of the social media era, often driven by profit and addictive algorithms, were choices, not requirements.
We are currently in a unique moment where a broad coalition of parents, educators, and policy makers are saying “enough.” With AI legislation moving forward in dozens of states and young entrepreneurs building social apps focused on safety over data harvesting, there is a collective effort to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. The goal is to return to the original promise of technology: a tool for human proximity and support.
Practical Strategies for Parenting in the Age of AI
For parents wondering how to manage this transition at home, the first step is maintaining an active curiosity. Rather than simply monitoring screen time or specific apps, Jawando suggests digging deeper into the “why” behind a child’s tech usage. Understanding what a platform provides—whether it is community, creative outlet, or convenience—allows parents to guide their children toward safer, more ethical alternatives that do not exploit their personal data.
It is also essential to remember that parents hold significant power as consumers. By supporting ecosystems built around responsible and holistic technology, families can influence the market. The emergence of social platforms that prioritize content moderation and user safety demonstrates that a shift toward “wholesome” tech is already underway. Parents were the ones who triggered the reckoning with social media, and that same collective muscle is now being applied to AI much earlier in its development cycle.
Redefining “Actual Intelligence” in the Classroom and Beyond
The rise of AI-assisted homework and classroom tools has created a “shortcut problem” that many parents struggle to address. Often, children receive conflicting messages: they are warned about the dangers of screens while simultaneously being handed AI tools for academic use. When kids use AI to “game” the system, it is frequently because the educational system is still focused on questions that AI can easily answer—such as dates or basic facts.
The challenge for parents and educators is to pivot the focus toward “actual intelligence”—the unique, human wisdom that no machine can replicate. This involves making space for the things that make a child uniquely human: their specific perspective, their capacity for mistakes, and their ability to ask questions that have never been asked before. Instead of using technology to replace thinking, the focus should be on using it to augment a child’s individual voice and story.
Technology as a Tool for Inclusion and Connection
The duality of technology is best seen through the lens of lived experience. For a child with neurodiversity, platforms like Roblox can offer a vital sense of community and a space for social connection that might feel friction-heavy in the physical world. In this context, technology serves as a genuine accommodation and a place of belonging.
Conversely, the same advancements can facilitate sophisticated scams that target vulnerable populations, such as seniors. This reality highlights the fact that technology is neither inherently good nor bad; its value depends entirely on who it is designed for and who is making the decisions. For parents, the mission is to ensure that the design of the future prioritizes human safety and inclusion over corporate interests.
Final Thoughts: The Unrivaled Power of Parental Advocacy
The transition from the “highlight reel” culture of social media to the more complex era of AI provides an opportunity for families to rediscover depth and individual identity. While the technological landscape is intimidating, the most effective safeguard remains the advocacy of parents. A parent’s willingness to “go to the mat” for their child’s wellbeing is the ultimate check against unethical tech development. By staying curious, demanding better design, and fostering their children’s unique human wisdom, parents can ensure that the next era of technology serves to enhance our humanity rather than diminish it.
