Good morning/day. It’s Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and today we’re exploring a question most of us never thought we’d ask as parents: Could AI actually help our kids grow more human?

In this edition, you’ll discover a surprising new study that flips common fears about technology on their head—plus a five-minute conversation starter that helps your child use AI to build self-awareness, empathy, and confidence. This isn’t about robots taking over. It’s about how we can guide our kids to use tech in ways that stretch—not shrink—their humanity.

🌱 This is Future-Ready Parents—where we turn today’s quiet parenting worries into small, practical steps that build confidence, adaptability, and resilience in our kids.

First time reading? You’re in great company. Join a growing community of parents walking this path with purpose—one small action at a time.

THE BIG PICTURE

When we think about AI, most of us worry it’s making our kids less human—less curious, less creative, less connected.

But a new study from Harvard and Wharton offers a surprising reframe: AI might actually help us stretch beyond our limits—not shrink inside them. ¹  

In a real-world experiment at Procter & Gamble, 776 professionals worked on complex innovation challenges. Some were in human teams. Others worked alone—but with AI.

The result?

• Individuals using AI matched or exceeded the performance of full teams.

• They felt more excited, less stuck, and more willing to think outside their usual roles.

It wasn’t just about getting stuff done—it was about growing into a more flexible, energized version of themselves.

Here’s the bridge: Our kids are growing up with these tools. And with the right scaffolding, they can use AI not just to complete tasks—but to expand their self-awareness, empathy, and communication.

TODAY'S MICRO-ACTION

Ask: “What could AI help you get better at?”

Try asking any kid, “How was school today?” and not get a blank stare or a one-worded answer. Good luck, right? But, just maybe that same kid might lighten up when asking ChatGPT to write a story about dragons or solve a math homework question they’ve been stumped on all day.

Is it possible that we can find a way to turn curiosity into a growth moment?

🕐 Take 5 minutes and ask your child:

Offer ideas if they’re stuck:

• Speaking up when nervous

• Writing better stories

• Calming down when frustrated

• Coming up with creative ideas

Then try this prompt together in ChatGPT (or similar):
💬 “How can I get better at ___?”

Ask them what felt helpful, weird, or interesting. Did it make them think differently?

Why this works:
It shifts AI from being just a tool for answers… to a partner in self-reflection. That’s a critical mindset for building digital discernment, emotional intelligence, and future-ready confidence.

WISDOM WEDNESDAY:

When AI Makes People Better Teammates

Parents often tell us: “I just want my kid to be a strong communicator and collaborator.” That’s the stuff you can’t outsource or automate.

So this may be the most surprising part of the P&G study:
AI didn’t replace human teamwork—it helped individuals grow into more well-rounded, big-picture thinkers.

• Tech folks started thinking more commercially.

• Creative pros offered more technically viable ideas.

• Everyone stretched beyond their silos.

In other words, AI supported the kind of whole-person growth we want for our kids: flexibility, cross-domain thinking, emotional clarity.

We’re not saying AI is a cure-all. But in the right environment, it’s more than just a productivity tool. It can help kids:

• Practice thinking from other perspectives

• Explore their feelings in low-stakes ways

• Reflect before they react

AI won’t replace the messy aspects of growing up—but it might just be a surprisingly helpful teammate along the way.

⚡ PARENT TO PARENT:

“AI turned a YouTube video into a talk about courage.”

A recent research project by Apple tested an AI system that watched the shows kids love—and then created thoughtful questions about the characters' choices and emotions. ²  

In one family, a simple episode turned into a dinner conversation:

The parent shared: “We didn’t even know how to start that conversation. But the AI gave us a doorway in.”

No tech will ever replace your role.
But sometimes, it can hand you the key to a deeper moment.

👉 Have you had a moment like this? Or do you want one? Hit reply—we’d love to hear your story.

🫡 BEFORE YOU GO…

We’re parenting in the middle of a technological shift that no one’s fully prepared for. And that’s okay.

Because the real skill isn’t knowing everything—it’s modeling curiosity, compassion, and courage.

Today’s 5-minute chat might feel small. But it plants a seed for how your child views AI: not as a crutch, but as a mirror. A tool for growth. A way to better understand themselves and the world around them.

👉 Try the micro-action. Then tell us how it went. Or forward this to a fellow parent who’s been asking, “How do I even begin?”

We’re walking this road together. You’re not behind—you’re just getting started.

Until next time,
James Brauer
Founder, Future-Ready Parents

💬 Have something else in mind? Hit reply—we’re listening.

1   https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5188231

2   https://machinelearning.apple.com/research/easel-promoting-social-emotional