DISCOVERING AI: Igniting Human Potential
By Amy D. Love, Founder of DISCOVERING AI and of the Global FAMILY AI GAME PLAN initiative

Summer brings a welcome pause to the school-year grind and opens up new space for families to connect, explore, and recharge. In the midst of this change, one thing has become clear: AI is not waiting for the next school year, and it is not just a buzzword in the headlines. More children are using AI tools, sometimes intentionally for projects or learning, and sometimes without even realizing it, as AI quietly shapes the apps, games, and digital spaces they enter.

If you are reading this, you are already an engaged parent or educator. You know that success for our kids will depend on more than test scores or following the old rules. The landscape is shifting. AI is now part of the environment our children are growing up in, whether they call it out by name or simply encounter the results. The question is not if they will use AI, but how we help them build the judgment, habits, and confidence to use it well.

I see this every day through my work with DISCOVERING AI and through conversations with families in our community. Our audience is thoughtful, forward-looking, and proactive. The goal is not to keep up with every new app or worry about the latest algorithm. The real work is helping our kids develop the skills to question, verify, and make sense of information, no matter where it comes from.

Recent research from Brookings and other organizations confirms something many of us have sensed: AI literacy now sits alongside reading and math as a foundational skill. Schools are being challenged to provide holistic approaches to AI, including professional development for teachers and new strategies for integrating technology into learning. As parents, we have the unique advantage of using summer’s flexibility to build these habits at home, in ways that feel natural and connected to real life.

Surveys show that over 60 percent of teens are already using AI tools. Sometimes they know it, like when they ask ChatGPT for help or use an AI art generator. Other times, AI is just part of the search engines, recommendation feeds, or smart features in their favorite games and apps. Many parents are surprised to learn how often AI is “under the hood.” That gap between what kids experience and what adults notice can grow quickly if we do not stay curious and involved.

The risk is not just that students will use AI to cut corners. A 2026 education report points out a deeper concern: cognitive dependence. When children turn to AI for every answer, they may lose some of the curiosity and critical thinking that help them solve problems and reflect on their own ideas. The challenge for families is not eliminating AI, but making sure kids learn to use it as a tool, one that helps them think, rather than doing the thinking for them.

More families are shifting what they value in their children’s education. Critical thinking, digital skills, and hands-on problem-solving are rising to the top. The world ahead is unpredictable. The advantage will go to those who can adapt, ask great questions, and evaluate what is put in front of them, whether from a teacher, a peer, or an AI system.

This is where our audience stands out. You are not looking for one-size-fits-all answers or waiting for someone else to tell you what to do. You want actionable ideas that fit your family’s values and routines. In my own home and in the programs I lead, I focus on practical, repeatable habits:

Eighty-three percent of parents and children in a recent study agreed that critical thinking, without relying on AI, is essential. When we practice these habits at home, we build the foundation for lifelong learning and resilience.

Summer is the perfect time to try this. With fewer deadlines and more room for exploration, families can experiment, make mistakes, and grow together. If your child is curious about a topic or working on a new project, let them tackle it with their own ideas first. Then, use AI as a partner for checking, expanding, or refining. Celebrate the moments when your child’s unique thinking shines through, especially if it catches something AI missed or misunderstood.

This approach is at the heart of our C.R.E.A.T.E. Summer Camps at DISCOVERING AI. These camps are designed to help kids build real-world skills: critical thinking, resilience, and responsible AI use, in a hands-on, creative environment. The focus is not more screen time or technology for its own sake. It is about helping children develop the clarity, confidence, and independence they need to lead with their own ideas.

I encourage you to start a family conversation this week. Ask your child where they think AI is showing up in their daily life. Discuss what it gets right and where it sometimes falls short. Try answering a question together without technology, then see how AI responds. Compare, question, and learn as a team.

Parents and educators who engage with these challenges are giving their children a real advantage. AI readiness is not a tech skill alone. It is a mindset—curious, confident, and committed to making sense of a world where technology is always evolving.

This summer, I hope you will use this space to strengthen the skills that matter most. If you want your child to practice these habits in a supportive community, take a look at the upcoming C.R.E.A.T.E. camps at camps.discoveringai.org.

Together, we can make this a season of growth, curiosity, and genuine connection.

Amy

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This week on our Facebook Live Parenting in the Age of AI, we’ll explore how summer choices can enrich your child’s growth and curiosity, offering lasting value rather than simply keeping them occupied.

Join us: Clarity for parents. Confidence for children. Connection for families.

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𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐈: Igniting Human Potential

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