The single sharpest fact is that 89% of college students use AI for homework, according to a Study.com survey. But what's even more alarming is that kids are now automatically reaching for an AI chatbot before even trying to solve a problem on their own. They don't try to figure it out themselves, which is a problem.

Navin Gurnaney, CEO of Code Ninjas, the world's largest kids' coding franchise, says that the real problem isn't cheating, but passivity. He believes that if kids are taught to just use AI tools without understanding how they work, they'll learn nothing. Gurnaney thinks that kids should be building with AI, learning about its fundamental principles, and understanding how to create with it. This approach won't happen overnight, but it's essential for their development.

Gurnaney's approach is to get kids to build with AI, rather than just consuming it. He wants kids to learn about LLMs, sensors, and data visualization, and to understand how AI works. By doing so, kids will develop critical thinking, logic, problem-solving, and communication skills. They'll also develop grit, which is essential for success. Gurnaney's method is all about empowering kids, and it's what they need to succeed.

"If you're just following AI and just using it and being a passive consumer, then you certainly place yourself at a great disadvantage," Gurnaney said. "That's the fear that people should have, that I could be completely marginalized. Whereas if you know how to create with it, now you're leading. Now you're telling AI, setting the stage. That job will never go away." He won't back down from this statement, and it's clear he's passionate about it.

Gurnaney's answer isn't about prompt engineering or technology, but about a character trait: grit. He believes that grit, combined with critical thinking, logic, problem-solving, and communication, is what differentiates people who succeed from those who don't. AI literacy, including understanding what an LLM is and why it sometimes confidently lies, sits on top of that base. It's not something you can learn in a day, but it's crucial for kids to understand.

The story of a 9-year-old boy named Adam, who earned the right to start teaching 6-year-olds at a Code Ninjas center in Georgia, is a great example of what can be achieved when kids are taught to build with AI. Adam's mother was in tears, watching her child feel like Superman. It's moments like these that we need more of - kids who feel empowered and confident in their ability to create and build with AI. They're the future, and we can't ignore that.

  • 89% of college students use AI for homework
  • 48% of college students use AI for at-home tests
  • 53% of college students use AI to write essays
  • Navin Gurnaney is the CEO of Code Ninjas, the world's largest kids' coding franchise
  • Code Ninjas has a program to teach kids to build with AI, rather than just consuming it

As AI continues to grow and evolve, it's essential that we teach kids to build with it, rather than just using it. By doing so, we'll create a generation of kids who are empowered, confident, and equipped to succeed in a world where AI is everywhere. They won't be intimidated by it, and that's what we need. We can't afford to have kids who are afraid of AI, because it's not going away.

The impact of AI on education and the job market is significant, and it's not just about cheating or passivity. It's about creating a workforce that's equipped to work with AI, rather than being replaced by it. Companies like Oracle, Snap, and Cisco are already feeling the effects of AI, with layoffs and job cuts becoming more frequent. They're struggling to keep up, and it's clear that something needs to change.

But Gurnaney's approach offers a solution. By teaching kids to build with AI, we can create a generation of kids who are not only proficient in AI but also have the skills to succeed in a rapidly changing world. And that's what we need - kids who are confident, empowered, and equipped to take on the challenges of the future. They're our future, and we can't fail them.

The future of education and work isn't certain, but one thing is clear: AI is here to stay, and we need to teach kids to build with it, rather than just using it. As Gurnaney said, "Start early," and get close to AI, rather than being intimidated by it. By doing so, we'll create a generation of kids who are ready to take on the challenges of the future and succeed in a world where AI is everywhere. They won't be left behind, and that's a fact.