Preparing Our Youth Today for Tomorrow’s Digital World

Here’s a thought that keeps popping up in my head. The world our youth will be stepping into is not the same one we grew up in and it’s changing fast. Technology and AI are shaking up everything from school and jobs to starting a business and just living day to day.

I ran across some numbers that really made me think long and hard. I read that by 2030, up to 30 percent of work hours in the U.S. could be automated.

Around the world, 400 million to 800 million people might need to switch careers or pick up new skills. More than half of all jobs will have at least some of their tasks changed by AI. That means a lot of the skills we think are safe today might not be enough to carry the upcoming generation into tomorrow.

I’ve spent years creating STEM curriculum and running after-school programs, camps, and tech training for youth. I love seeing the spark in their eyes when they build something new or explore AI for the first time. But I’ve noticed a gap. Many adults, parents, teachers, and even leaders, don’t fully see how fast things are changing. Schools are moving slower than technology and if we wait for the system to catch up, our youth could get left behind.

That’s why digital literacy is not an option anymore it is a must.... They need to know how to think with technology, problem solve, and adapt. They also need guidance on whether college is the right path for their goals or if there are other ways to get the skills they will actually need for meaningful work in a digital world. And a lot of the jobs they’ll be going after in the future don’t even exist yet.

Here is the part that gives me hope. When we give them the right tools and skills, they have what they need to thrive. I’ve seen it happen. Programs, workshops, and hands-on experiences that introduce children to STEM, AI, and tech help them gain confidence, curiosity, and real world problem solving skills.

That’s what I’m doing with Bold AI Solutions After years of creating STEM curriculum and programs for people of all ages, my team and I are focused on workshops and training that get both adults and youth ready for today and for the opportunities coming tomorrow. The future is not waiting and our children should not be left behind.

If you are connected to a school, community group, or youth program and want to help the youth get ready for what’s next, my team and I would love to come run a workshop or training. Let’s all pivot forward together.

Preparing the next generation: Michigan youth exploring coding, robotics, and futuristic technology in a hands-on digital classroom.