I spend a lot of time thinking—and speaking—about how we prepare today’s children for a future in which artificial intelligence levels the playing field of raw knowledge.
As I’ve been writing my book on human relationships and networking in the age of AI, and through countless conversations with parents about future-proofing their children, a clear picture of our evolving professional landscape has emerged.
Table of Contents
Why STEM Isn’t Enough Anymore
The World Economic Forum projects that by 2030, the most valuable abilities will be adaptability, creativity, emotional intelligence, and leadership—precisely the “soft skills” that traditional education often overlooks.
Meanwhile, science, technology, engineering, and math skills, while still important, won’t hold the same currency that they do today.
This creates a striking paradox.
Parents are investing heavily in getting their kids into the best STEM programs, yet by the time these children enter the workforce, those traditionally prized technical skills may not be the ultimate differentiators we thought they were.
Traditional STEM expertise still matters, but as AI turns technical know-how into a commodity, the human traits that can’t be automated take center stage.
When anyone can ask an AI model for the right answer to complex problems, people will choose to work with humans they genuinely like and trust.
Reality of the AI Job Market
My personal outlook on the immediate future of the job market is quite stark.
We’re already seeing hiring freezes and increased layoffs, and this is before AI has been integrated at any significant scale across industries. I genuinely believe we could see over 50% of current jobs becoming obsolete within the next five years.
Consider the current hiring process: it’s not uncommon for a single job posting to attract a thousand or more applicants.
As AI automates more tasks, available roles will likely shrink, intensifying this competition exponentially. Companies like Shopify have already stated they won’t hire a person if AI can do the job effectively.
For the first time in modern history, humans must justify their value proposition against technology. The core issue is that AI levels the playing field for intelligence.
With tools like ChatGPT and other language models, specialized knowledge alone ceases to be the ultimate differentiator.
Your Network Is Your Net Worth
If intelligence becomes a commodity, what becomes our unique advantage? I firmly believe it’s our ability to connect with other humans.
People want to work with people they like and trust. Therefore, teaching kids how to build and nurture authentic connections is the highest-leverage investment a parent can make.
Relationships—not résumés—become the ultimate advantage in this new landscape.
Essential Skills Needed
When intelligence is commoditized, these specific relationship muscles will separate thriving professionals from the obsolete:
Craft a Compelling Origin Story
Most people struggle to articulate what makes them unique and interesting.
People decide in seconds whether they want to keep listening, so you need a story that sparks instant interest and hints at the unique value you bring.
Are you disarmingly witty? A pattern-spotting expert?
Do you have a genuinely captivating smile? Pinpoint the trait others consistently appreciate and let it shine in every interaction. People want to hire and work with individuals they find genuinely interesting, not just technically competent.
Ask Questions That Create Connection
Instead of the tired “What do you do?”, try “What’s giving you the most energy right now?” Thoughtful prompts that unlock emotion generate memorability and genuine rapport.
People enjoy talking about themselves, and if you can be skilled at asking the right questions, you don’t even need to talk much—people will naturally like you more.
Become Unforgettable
Use contrast, vivid detail, or unexpected anecdotes. Psychology shows that distinct moments etch deeper into memory than a string of polite facts.
Understanding the storytelling tactics and psychological principles that make people remember you is crucial for long-term success.
Curate a Diverse Network
A closet full of identical shirts is useless. Likewise, you need contacts from varied backgrounds, industries, and viewpoints to unlock real opportunity.
Avoid surrounding yourself only with people similar to you—true strength comes from a network rich in varied experiences and perspectives.
Engineer Serendipity
Great breaks often hinge on being in the right room at the right time. Map out events, forums, and online communities where chance collisions are most likely.
The best networking opportunities feel like serendipity, but you can actively increase these possibilities.
Think Like a Generalist
Know a little about a lot so you can relate to anyone. A shared hometown, mutual sports allegiance, or niche hobby reference can ignite rapport instantly.
When you can relate to someone in any way—even through small commonalities—it unlocks significant trust and connection immediately.
Maintain Relationships Strategically
Proactive check-ins, thoughtful articles, and well-timed introductions keep you top of mind. There’s a specific rhythm to staying relevant without feeling transactional.
Building connections is just the start—develop a strategy for following up and staying memorable so people think of you when opportunities arise.
Create Value Through Introductions
A great introduction frames the benefit for both sides, provides concise context, and makes it effortless for people to say “yes.”
Learn how to make thoughtful connections between your contacts and offer insights that provide genuine value.
Master this, and your network compounds automatically.
Build Your Relationship Flywheel
Develop a systematic approach for outreach, follow-up, authentic compliments, and—crucially—learning how to ask for favors appropriately.
Most people either never ask for help or ask too aggressively too soon. There’s a strategic middle ground that builds relationships while advancing your goals.
Teaching These Skills
Parents can start developing these crucial abilities immediately:
Storytelling at the dinner table: Encourage children to recount their day with color and emotion so they practice holding attention and crafting compelling narratives.
Question swaps: Replace “What did you learn in class?” with “What was the most surprising thing you heard today?” to build curiosity and conversational agility.
Micro-leadership moments: Let them organize a family outing or negotiate weekend plans. Real-world practice beats any textbook when it comes to developing leadership and negotiation skills.
Rethinking Extracurriculars
Competitive sports can teach discipline and teamwork, but daily three-hour practices rarely compound into future career value.
I would strongly advocate redirecting some of that time toward debate clubs, improvisation workshops, or community projects where empathy, communication, and initiative are on full display.
The statistical reality is harsh: almost no one becomes the next Tiger Woods or professional athlete.
Yet families continue investing countless hours pursuing athletic achievements that provide minimal career advantage when those hours could develop skills that will actually differentiate them in the future job market.
Strategic College Planning
If your child can earn a spot at a truly elite university—Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and their peers—the network alone often justifies the tuition.
These institutions offer one irreplaceable asset: access to relationships with future leaders and decision-makers.
Otherwise, freed-up resources may be better spent on targeted courses, travel, and relationship-building experiences that cultivate the skills AI can’t replicate.
If you can’t gain admission to tier-one institutions, it’s worth critically evaluating the traditional four-year college path against other avenues, especially considering the financial burden.
Embracing Realism
Parents need to have honest, pragmatic conversations with their children from a younger age about career prospects and financial realities. This doesn’t mean crushing dreams, but it does mean providing clear-eyed analysis.
I often share the story of a father whose son dreamed of being a soccer coach.
The father didn’t crush the dream but instead walked his son through the financial realities—salary expectations versus cost of living and desired lifestyle.
This pragmatic approach helped his son realize the path wasn’t feasible for the life he envisioned.
The window to easily pivot careers later in life is narrowing rapidly.
Helping children gain clarity on their interests and potential paths earlier, while still fostering adaptability, will serve them well in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Leveraging AI as a Tool
While AI presents challenges, it’s also a powerful tool when used correctly.
I advise people to use it as a “thought partner” or “sparring partner”—engage with it, bounce ideas off it, and have conversations back and forth rather than just asking for completed work.
A key skill now is learning how to prompt AI effectively. If you can clearly articulate your needs to get the desired output on the first try, that’s a significant advantage.
However, the goal is to augment your abilities, not become overly reliant and lose your capacity for independent thought.
The Path Forward
In a future where technical prowess can be replicated by machines, our humanity will be our greatest asset.
The ability to connect, to be genuinely liked, to bring diverse groups together, and to add unique human value will be what sets individuals apart and ensures their place in an ever-changing world.
The professionals who thrive won’t necessarily be the smartest in terms of raw intelligence—they’ll be the ones people want to work with, learn from, and build lasting relationships with.
Start developing these skills now, both for yourself and your children. The future belongs to those who master the art of authentic human connection.