Better encourage their ingenuity and curiosity.
We live in a time of rapid change – technology is evolving faster than our education system can respond, and AI is advancing at such a pace that we can barely keep up.
Many believe that the future will bring a comfortable working life with a 35-hour week, automation, and plenty of time for rest. But this idea may be illusory – if we don’t lay the right foundations today, children will face uncertainty and demotivation instead of comfort.
The modern job market is moving toward hybrid skills—it is not enough to master just one profession. AI, automation, and digitization will gradually replace routine tasks and shift human value to areas of creativity, adaptation, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. However, to achieve this, we need to educate children differently – to guide them toward curiosity, the ability to learn, and responsibility for their own development.
What should an effective school system that promotes inventiveness and curiosity in the younger generation look like?
An effective educational system in the age of AI must be adaptable, future-focused, and centered on developing human potential. It should prioritize essential skills like critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, adaptability and digital fluency over rote memorization.
Learning should be project-based and interdisciplinary (e.g. science+art+tech), encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and resilience through real-world challenges.
Education must be personalized, using technology to adapt to each student’s pace and interests, with teachers acting as mentors rather than mere content providers.
Early introduction to technology and its ethical use is crucial, alongside strong emphasis on communication, collaboration, and inner values. The goal is to raise thoughtful, adaptable individuals ready to shape—not just survive—the future.
An effective education must nurture strong values and emotional resilience by fostering empathy, responsibility, and mental well-being. It should support children in developing inner motivation and purpose, rather than focusing solely on academic performance.
In conclusion, by encouraging creativity and flexibility, we help children get ready not just for future jobs, but also to actively shape and create the world they will live in.
Article written by Katarina Radu, CFR Global Executive Search Slovakia
Photo source: FreeImages