Straight to the content
If we want to change the world and make it better for the better, we have to change something. A world without poverty, in peace and full of compassion and love. Let us at least say that this is worth striving for.
In my opinion, it starts with youth. Because no one is born bad with prejudices and bad thoughts about others.
What drives me crazy
You won't believe this. When you watch speeches. Or keynotes. Does such a figure always start with: in this ever faster changing time.... They said that in the 60s too. So that everything changes quickly is a continuity. A fixed value.
But.
I think the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) for consumers is really an acceleration of change because as an individual you can now deploy a multiplier even faster and more widely; AI.
Back to improving the world
The difference with Google is that you had to actively search for an answer to a question. With AI, you can ask the question directly and build on it to get insights that are unimaginably good. But then?
I asked AI how we can improve the world since we have AI...
And this was the answer:
"
The rise of AI and the rapid technological progress bring immense opportunities and challenges. To prepare our children and future generations for a better world, we can focus on the following core areas in education and upbringing:
1. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
AI can automate tasks, but the human ability to think critically, understand complex problems and find creative solutions remains essential.
- Education focus: Encourage analytical skills, logic, and evaluation of information. Teach children to critically examine what AI systems generate and understand their ethical implications.
- At home: Encourage curiosity by asking open-ended questions and discussing current topics together.
2. Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
Technology can communicate effectively, but it lacks the capacity for authentic compassion and understanding. Developing emotional intelligence helps children build better relationships and take responsibility.
- Education focus: Introduce courses or modules that encourage collaboration, listening and conflict management.
- At home: Model empathy by showing understanding and compassion, and discuss emotions openly.
3. Digital Literacy and Ethics
In an AI-driven world, it is crucial that children understand how technology works and the implications of digital systems.
- Education focus: Education about AI, programming, cybersecurity and data ethics. Teach them how AI works, but also how it can be used responsibly.
- At home: Talk to kids about privacy, fake news, and the impact of technology on everyday life.
5. Creativity and Innovation
AI can replicate existing patterns, but humans remain unique in coming up with original ideas and concepts. Creativity is crucial for innovation.
- Education focus: Promote art, music, and design in the curriculum. Encourage entrepreneurship and out-of-the-box thinking.
- At home: Give children space to experiment and make mistakes.Play creative games together or work on projects.
6. Ethical Leadership and Social Responsibility
AI has a huge impact on societies. Children need to learn how to use technology for the common good.
- Education focus: Introduce courses on sustainability, social responsibility and ethics. Encourage discussions on the social impact of technology.
- At home: Teach children to take responsibility for their actions and the world around them. Discuss how technology can be used to create positive change.
7. Community spirit and cooperation
In an increasingly connected world, collaboration is more important than ever.
- Education focus: Organize group projects and interdisciplinary activities that encourage teamwork and cross-cultural understanding.
- At home: Encourage children to work with others, participate in volunteer work, and contribute to their community.
Why Is This Important?
The combination of these skills makes children not only technologically competent, but also socially aware and emotionally intelligent. They become the thinkers and leaders who use technology as a force for good, while remaining critical of the risks.
By investing in holistic education and upbringing that combines technology with human values, we can prepare a generation that not only works with AI, but uses it ethically and responsibly. What would you like to emphasize in this plan for your children or community?"
This is madness!
It nice I think, is that CHATGPT also takes home in the answer. What I as an artist of course hoped for was that creativity would come at number 1. But the ai chooses critical thinking (vs ai). In other words, read this answer but remain critical.
And now what?
These answers are actually enough to make certain choices as a government regarding education.
CHANGE, CHANGE!
What does that mean? I think change is deleting and adding something else. What will you need less as a human being if we can find the answers to things very quickly?
Which subjects need to be 'given up' to make room for subjects to prepare children to make the world a better place:
So I asked this too to CHATGPT because I can't see how you can change a basic education system without causing 'damage' to a country's basic knowledge...
The answers are astonishing:
Current education has a fixed curriculum that is mainly built around traditional subjects such as language, mathematics, history and science. To make room for new subjects such as critical thinking, ethics and creativity, certain subjects can be adapted, integrated or partially replaced. This requires a careful balance, so that core skills are not lost, but space is created for a modern, future-oriented approach.
Here are suggestions by educational level:
Primary education
In primary education it is crucial to maintain a broad foundation, but some subjects can be organised more efficiently to free up time.
Subjects where time can be saved
-
History and Geography
- These subjects can be integrated into broader themes such as "World Orientation". This saves hours and makes room for modules such as ethics and critical thinking.
- Alternative: Let children explore history and geography through project-based learning that also addresses skills such as collaboration and creativity.
-
Craftsmanship and Drawing
- Instead of individual hours, these subjects can be expanded into a broader creativity component, where innovation and design are also stimulated.
- Focus shift: More emphasis on problem solving and innovation rather than purely artistic skills.
-
Written Writing
- Handwriting skills remain important, but may become less important as digital skills become more important. The freed-up time can be used for digital literacy.
New subjects or integrations
- Critical thinking: Integrated into language and math lessons through problem-solving assignments.
- Ethics and empathy: Offered as part of social skills and citizenship.
- Creativity: Not only in art, but as an interdisciplinary skill, such as in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) projects.
(EDIT HANS: social skills and citizenship! What a term, what a blessing. I also think ethics is an important addition because the tendency of me versus them, and egoism plays a major role. If we want to make the world a better place, it is essential that we let empathy play a greater role.)
Secondary Education
In secondary education, there are greater opportunities to adapt or merge subjects, thanks to the more specialized curriculum.
Subjects where hours can be deleted
-
Traditional Classical Subjects (e.g. Latin and Greek)
- While valuable for a specific audience, in many cases these subjects could be made optional, allowing more room for 21st century skills.
-
Social studies
- This can be extended or integrated with ethics and critical citizenship, with an emphasis on current social and technological issues.
-
Physical education
- Although important for health, the number of hours can be optimized by combining sports and exercise with mindfulness and social activities.
-
Skills such as Explanation and Summarization in Languages
- These skills can be integrated into critical thinking assignments, in which students learn, for example, media analysis (recognizing fake news, evaluating AI outcomes).
New subjects or integrations
- Critical thinking and digital literacy: Learning to deal with complex problems, logic, argumentation and digital tools.
- Ethics and technology: Focused on the impact of AI, privacy issues and social responsibility.
- Creativity and innovation: Integrated into subjects such as art, technology, or a separate subject that encourages entrepreneurship and problem solving.
Time savings through Interdisciplinary Education
An important approach to creating space is to combine subjects:
- STEM projects: Combine physics, mathematics and engineering in collaborative projects.
- Humanities projects: Integrate history, geography, and civics to provide coherent citizenship education.
- Language and Media Literacy: Use language lessons to teach students how to analyze media content and apply critical thinking.
How much time can be saved?
By introducing efficiency in the current subjects and working interdisciplinary, 2-4 hours per week can be freed up, depending on the level of education. These hours can be divided over the proposed new subjects.
Conclusion:
Eliminating entire subjects is rarely necessary; it is often more effective to modernize and better integrate subjects. Critical thinking, ethics, and creativity can be woven into existing curricula, while traditional subjects are made more compact or relevant. In this way, education remains both broad and future-oriented.
Hans
Instead of chopping and ploughing, AI proposes to innovate smartly and thus gain time for these subjects. A good start!
We have now factored in the new subjects and more broadly supported time for ethics, critical thinking and creativity and everyone who reads this will get started with that ;-)
But the reality is sticky. What can we do now?
My experience with young people and creativity is that you really live in the moment. You work on a poem or a painting and that stimulates your brain and gives you a good feeling.
This change doesn't have to be that drastic, with 2-4 hours a week extra (I think more but ok) you can already make a difference. Let's start there.
The following is something that anyone who is concerned about the world can use and work on in a concrete way.
CHAT:
1. Start Small: Pilot Projects and Local Initiatives
Rather than implementing a national programme straight away, start with small-scale pilot projects that can serve as examples.
- What to do: Partner with a progressive school or nonprofit to test an innovative curriculum.
- Why this works: Local successes demonstrate feasibility and benefits, helping to reduce resistance and build support.
EDIT HANS: So I give closed workshops and artworks. That's my part in this. Think for yourself what you can do. Municipalities and institutions are really open to this kind of thing. What can you do? And what can you do? Start!
2. Form Strategic Alliances
Work with stakeholders who can influence policy and public opinion.
- Who to involve: Educational institutions, technology companies, parents, and civic leaders.
- How: Allow companies to invest in programs, for example by providing technology or financing, in exchange for visibility or future talent development.
3. Create Awareness and Social Pressure
Use campaigns to widely communicate the benefits of innovative education and start a movement.
- What to do: Organize public seminars, use social media, and share stories of students and teachers who have already benefited from this approach.
- Why this works: Social pressure can motivate politicians and decision makers to take action.
4. Work Outside Bureaucratic Structures
If the official regulations are too sluggish, you can take parallel routes:
- Alternative models: Create after-school programs or summer camps focused on technology and skills.
- Private initiatives: Set up private schools with innovative methods, as a testing ground for national policy.
5. Use Innovation Policy Support
Some countries have slow education policies but are enthusiastic about technology and innovation.
- What to do: Link your education program to economic benefits, such as training a generation better prepared for jobs in the AI and tech sectors.
- How: Present this as a strategic investment in the country's future.
6. Lobby for Flexible Legislation
Although bureaucracy can be slow, through targeted lobbying you can achieve small changes:
- What to do: Develop policy proposals with evidence from pilot projects, supported by data and stories of success.
- Who to involve: Political parties, policy makers, and interest groups that benefit from a well-educated workforce.
7. Actively Engage Communities
Increasing support starts with involving the community.
- How: Organize workshops and trainings for parents, teachers, and students. Show that this approach has practical benefits, such as better chances on the labor market.
8. Focus on Scarcity and Benefits
Use Cialdini's principles to create momentum:
- Scarcity: Emphasize that children will be left behind in a world where technology and AI dominate unless change comes.
- Authority: Let technology experts and leaders advocate for these changes.
- Social Proof: Use successes of other countries or projects to convince skeptics.
9. Monitor and Share Results
Slow policy acceleration often works better with hard figures and success stories:
- What to do: Evaluate and publish the results of your initiatives. Focus on measurable improvements in skills, confidence and career prospects.
- Why this works: Policymakers are more likely to respond if a program is proven to have positive effects.
10. Patience and Perseverance
Change in viscous systems takes time.Work on the short term (immediate initiatives) and long term (policy changes) simultaneously.
- What to do: Build coalitions, create slow but consistent pressure, and celebrate small victories.
- Why this works: By making gradual progress, you can build momentum that will eventually become unstoppable.
With a smart combination of local impact, strategic partnerships, and community involvement, you can make a difference in even the slowest systems. What would you like to take as a first step?