Future of Education Podcast S2E289: 4 Skills Kids Need to Thrive in the AI Era
Dec 19, 2025
In a world where 65% of today's kids will work in jobs that don't exist yet, the discussion revolves around adapting to a changing landscape. MacKenzie emphasizes the need for agency, enabling kids to thrive in chaos and pivot calmly in the face of job displacement. The podcast critiques traditional schooling for fostering helplessness and advocates for mastery-based learning. Creative problem-solving is presented as a teachable discipline, while emotional intelligence is highlighted as a crucial skill that surpasses automation.
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Future Jobs Are Unpredictable
- 65% of kids entering elementary school today will work in jobs that don't exist yet.
- Success will come from adaptability, ingenuity, and resilience rather than linear credentials.
Agency Outweighs Raw Intelligence
- Agency is the ability to take initiative, make decisions, and shape your environment.
- MacKenzie Price argues agency matters more than raw intelligence in a volatile future.
Train Kids To Pivot Calmly
- Teach kids to pivot and keep calm when roles disappear due to automation.
- Encourage responses like 'I'll figure it out' and practice problem-solving under stress.