My daughter is four. My son is six.
In their lifetime, artificial intelligence will likely reshape nearly every industry, job, and form of wealth creation they encounter.
So what should I actually be telling them about AI and money?
Not the usual “study hard and get a good job.” That advice is becoming dangerously outdated.
Here’s what I’m teaching my children instead:
**1. AI is a tool, not a threat — but only if you know how to use it.**
The children who learn to direct AI will have an enormous advantage. The ones who fear it or use it poorly will struggle. We talk about AI the same way we talk about reading and writing — it’s a foundational skill.
**2. Your value will come from what AI cannot do.**
Creativity, emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, taste, storytelling, and leadership. These are the skills I’m prioritizing in our home. AI can write code and generate reports. It cannot replace human connection, moral reasoning, or original thought.
**3. Build ownership, not just a salary.**
I’m teaching them that in an AI-driven world, owning assets (businesses, real estate, intellectual property, equity in great companies) will matter more than trading time for money. We talk about building things people want, not just getting good grades.
**4. Money is a tool for freedom and impact — not status.**
We discuss how AI will create abundance in some areas and scarcity in others. The goal is not to “get rich.” The goal is to have enough freedom to live according to our values and help others.
**5. Stay curious and adaptable.**
The only certainty is change. The best skill I can give them is the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn quickly.
This is no longer theoretical for me.
I’m raising the next generation in a world that will be dramatically different than the one I grew up in. The conversations we have at our dinner table today are shaping how they will navigate that world.
**Recommended Resources:**
– The Village Library Estate Planning Starter Bundle
– My Family Finance Meeting Template (part of the Estate Planning Bundle)
**Related Posts:**
– The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide: Managing the Mental Load Without Losing Yourself
– Anchor for Everyone, But Who Anchors You? Avoiding Matriarch Burnout
– The Matriarch’s Legal Checklist: 5 Documents Every Aging Parent Needs Now
What are you telling *your* children about AI and money?