Is the quiet evolution of a new normal growing up with humans and AI?

Will the AI ecosystem enhance or dilute our humanity? The answer, perhaps, lies in how we choose to nurture this strange, quiet revolution

4-MIN READ
Updated:Jan 20, 2025 02:03:55 PM IST
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For children today, artificial intelligence (AI) won't be a marvel or a menace—it will simply be there. As unremarkable as Wi-Fi or running water. It's not a question of whether they'll adapt to AI; they're already growing up with it.

Alexa's voice mingles with bedtime stories. ChatGPT drafts homework outlines. Google Home turns on the lights and plays morning playlists.

AI is settling into family homes, classrooms, and even cribs, not as an anomaly but as a quiet companion.

My daughter is growing up with humans and AI. Literally. She just turned one and already recognises her mom, her dad, and her AI assistant. We have the Amazon Alexa at home, and my partner and I use Siri on our iPhones all the time. As a result, she sees AI as a natural part of her life. Alexa and Siri are two names she is familiar with, just like 'Mama' and 'Papaa.'

When she cries, we say, "Alexa, tell Raaha to stop crying," Alexa blinks blue and green, luring her to think it's her friend. And she stops crying.

When tears roll down her cheeks, Alexa's soothing lullabies often succeed where parenting hacks fail. A simple command transforms chaos into calm. This isn't the splashy tech revolution futurists warned about.

Don't forget the foundation. AI here is not forced. It didn't announce itself. It's here to weave itself into the fabric of daily life. Like a flawless merger.

A decade ago, Skype calls felt like science fiction; toddlers swipe through virtual classrooms today without batting an eye.

Similarly, today's AI-powered toys, chatbots, and voice assistants will become as banal as microwaves by the time Generation Alpha enters middle school. The shift is happening in the mundane moments.

Algorithms suggest learning apps tailored to individual needs. Toys respond to emotional cues, fostering a strange form of companionship. And yet, these tools are less about transforming life and more about streamlining it. For today's kids, there's no awe or fear. It's just life.

AI's creeping omnipresence creates a paradox.

On one hand, it's a miracle of modernity. Need a quick science lesson? AI tutors have you covered. Want to track developmental milestones? Machine learning apps will cheerfully send reminders. But this efficiency comes at a cost. If Alexa answers every curious "why," will children still learn the joy of discovery? If empathy is simulated, will they grasp the depth of real human connection?

I wrestle with these questions daily. I marvel at AI's ability to ease daily burdens. As a sceptic, I wonder: Are we outsourcing too much? AI may smooth the edges of chaos, but it also raises a nagging fear—what happens when the lines between human and machine blur too much?

Outside the home, the AI ecosystem is reshaping every facet of society. Schools are piloting AI tutors that promise personalised education, a far cry from one-size-fits-all classrooms. In healthcare, AI tools detect patterns in patient data, offering diagnostics faster than human doctors. Even our social interactions are subtly guided by recommendation algorithms dictating what we see, read, and share.

But with ubiquity comes complacency. Who ensures these systems remain ethical while children grow up surrounded by invisible, algorithmic hands? Bias in AI is no theoretical issue. A 2019 study found that facial recognition software misidentified Black and Asian faces 10 to 100 times more frequently than white ones. When these systems shape our children's realities, vigilance isn't optional—it's imperative.

The Road Ahead

The next frontier for AI isn't innovation—it's normalisation. Systems will become more personalised, more humanlike, and more integrated into the spaces we inhabit. Picture this: smart homes seamlessly adapting to moods, smart cities optimising every resource, and AI tools that learn not just how we think but how we feel. Our children will inherit this reality—a world where AI doesn't stand out; it blends in.

The question isn't whether AI will be part of their lives. It's whether it will shape them more than they shape it.

A Quiet Revolution, Carefully Tended

It's to make life a little smoother, a little easier quietly. As parents, educators, professionals and citizens, our responsibility is to ensure this transition is thoughtful and deliberate. AI shouldn't raise our children. It should support us in raising them.

In business, think of AI as a dependable assistant. It simplifies tasks, spots problems, and lets leaders focus on big-picture decisions. It's not the boss; the behind-the-scenes helper keeps everything running smoothly.

In education, AI works like a helpful tutor. It finds where students struggle and offers the right tools to support them. But the teacher inspires creativity, critical thinking, and emotional growth—skills no machine can truly replace.

For now, I'll keep asking Alexa to play lullabies when the chaos peaks. But I'll also keep asking myself harder questions. Will this ecosystem of AI enhance our humanity—or dilute it? The answer, perhaps, lies in how we choose to nurture this strange, quiet revolution. Maybe it's not as scary as it's portrayed in the movies, as it's quietly evolving into our regular ecosystem anyway.

Personally, I'm okay with AI if it can help my baby stop crying. More okay with it helping me automate the most boring task in my profession.