Michele L. Jawando, a former Google executive, civil rights attorney, and CEO of the Omidyar Network, is a prominent voice advocating for a more human-centered approach to artificial intelligence. Her work at the Omidyar Network, a social change venture focused on the intersection of technology, democracy, and economic opportunity, places her at the forefront of discussions shaping the future of AI. Jawando, who has testified before Congress and co-chairs Humanity AI, a coalition dedicated to guiding the development of artificial intelligence, recently shared her insights on the burgeoning relationship between children and AI, offering a perspective marked by cautious optimism rather than outright fear.

Jawando’s personal life, as a mother of four children ranging from 7 to 15 years old, and as part of an intergenerational household, provides a grounded backdrop to her professional advocacy. This lived experience, she suggests, offers a unique vantage point from which to observe and navigate the complex landscape of emerging technologies and their impact on young minds. She approaches these conversations with a refreshing pragmatism, acknowledging the challenges while actively seeking pathways toward more positive outcomes.

Shifting Sands: Gen Z’s Evolving View of AI

The contemporary discourse surrounding artificial intelligence and its influence on younger generations is often tinged with apprehension. Recent data underscores this sentiment, with a notable Gallup study revealing a significant decline in Gen Z’s enthusiasm for AI. The study indicated a 14-point drop in excitement about AI within a single year, accompanied by a 9-point decrease in hopefulness and a 9-point increase in anger. These statistics paint a picture of a generation grappling with the implications of technology, experiencing a growing sense of unease rather than embracing its potential.

Jawando is not surprised by these findings. Having witnessed the societal impact of the social media era, she believes this moment presents a critical opportunity to chart a different course for AI development and integration. "AI is not destiny," she asserted, emphasizing that its trajectory is a product of design choices. "And we can design something better this time around – because we can remember the shocks. We’re still experiencing the shocks and the pain of social media. We can shift what we’re designing."

This perspective is informed by her extensive experience within the tech industry. At Google, she was instrumental in accessibility initiatives, working with organizations like the National Federation for the Blind. This role provided her with firsthand understanding of the consequences of neglecting diverse needs during the product development cycle. Her early fascination with science fiction, particularly "Star Trek," instilled in her a vision of technology as a force for good, capable of connecting people, solving problems, and fostering mutual understanding.

"At its core, that was the thing technology was supposed to do," Jawando explained. "Every great technological invention is somehow connected to: how can I be closer to other people? The railways, the phone, the early internet. And then what we did was we bastardized that. We changed the dynamic and we put it all toward profit and addiction and the worst impulses. And I firmly believe there’s a whole other way to do this."

A Coalition for Change: Designing a Responsible AI Future

Jawando views the current AI landscape as a pivotal moment to redefine technology’s purpose. The increasing awareness of the pitfalls of previous technological waves, particularly social media, has fostered a broader coalition committed to ensuring AI is developed responsibly. This collective vigilance is manifesting in tangible legislative actions, with over 25 states now enacting some form of AI legislation. The emergent alliances are noteworthy, spanning diverse groups such as religious organizations, parent groups, senior citizens, and young people themselves. Jawando’s own organization supports teenagers who are actively developing new social applications, driven by a desire for alternatives to the technologies they have inherited.

The persistent curiosity among Gen Z, despite declining excitement, offers a beacon of hope. The Gallup study revealed that nearly half of Gen Zers still express curiosity about AI. Jawando identifies this as the "curiosity gap," a critical indicator that transcends headline statistics. "The curiosity is actually grounded in critical thinking," she stated. "What is happening, and does what I’m getting match what I actually want? They grew up as digital natives. They’ve seen the effects of social media across their entire childhood. So they’re more discerning now. They’re not disinterested – they want something better." This discerning nature, she believes, stems from an intuitive understanding that current offerings may be lacking, a feeling she articulates as "weak sauce."

Empowering Parents: Navigating the AI Landscape with Children

For parents navigating this evolving technological terrain, Jawando offers practical guidance. She emphasizes the importance of sustained personal curiosity, urging parents to delve into the "why" behind their children’s engagement with specific technologies, rather than simply monitoring usage. This involves understanding the appeal of platforms like Snapchat, for instance, and exploring alternatives that prioritize user well-being over data exploitation.

Crucially, Jawando stresses that parents possess more influence than they might realize. The growing demand for responsible technology is already prompting companies to make different choices and fostering the development of new ecosystems built around ethical principles. The emergence of platforms like Spill, which deliberately prioritizes user protection through content moderation, serves as an example of this shift. "We can move as consumers toward things that are safer, more holistic, more wholesome," she remarked. "You are not alone, and there are whole ecosystems being built."

The pace of AI regulation is notably faster than that of social media, a phenomenon Jawando attributes to the critical role parents played in demanding accountability for the impact of social platforms. "It was parents who made the biggest breakthrough in understanding what happened," she observed. "We were seeing it. We were experiencing it. We saw our kids, and we were like: what is happening here." This heightened awareness, she posits, has activated a proactive parental instinct earlier in the AI development cycle.

The "Shortcut Problem": Fostering Critical Thinking in the Age of AI

A common concern among parents is the potential for AI to become a crutch, hindering the development of critical thinking skills. The ease with which AI can generate answers to homework assignments, for example, raises questions about distinguishing between using a tool and outsourcing one’s own cognitive processes.

Jawando reframes this issue, highlighting the inherent contradictions in how technology is presented to young people. "Every child in school right now has grown up with a device in front of them their whole life," she noted. "And then they hear: screen time bad. Don’t use the technology. But also, here’s an AI tool for your classroom. The messages are completely disconnected. And we’re surprised when they game it."

The fundamental challenge, according to Jawando, lies in the nature of the questions we pose. When questions are readily answerable by AI, such as factual recall, the opportunity for deeper cognitive engagement is diminished. The true value lies in exploring the "why" and "how" – the underlying tensions, the stakes, the current relevance, and the uncharted questions. "That’s where actual thinking lives," she stated. "That’s what we should be asking for. And if we’re not asking for it, we can’t be shocked that kids aren’t offering it."

Beyond academic pursuits, Jawando emphasizes the importance of valuing children’s individual wisdom and creating space for the natural learning process, which includes not knowing and making mistakes. "I think we too often skip over our children’s individual wisdom," she reflected. "We don’t make space for the question – for the thing they don’t know yet, for the mistake, for the moment of not-getting-it. Because they worry somebody will say they’re not smart, or they don’t understand. So how do we create spaces again for the humanness?"

This perspective shifts the conversation from merely asserting that AI cannot replace human creativity to a more profound inquiry: what is intrinsically valuable about each child? What unique stories can they tell, and what individual wisdom do they possess that transcends algorithmic training? "Our identities, the things that are yours and mine," Jawando concluded, "that’s what we have to go back to. Actual intelligence. And then how do you use technology to augment those things – not replace them."

The Duality of Technology: Accommodation and Vulnerability

Jawando’s insights are deeply rooted in her personal experiences, particularly with her children. She observes how technology can serve as a vital tool for accommodation and connection. One of her daughters, who is autistic, found a community and a sense of belonging within platforms like Roblox, where neurodiverse children could interact and build in a less friction-filled social environment. This illustrates technology’s potential for genuine inclusion.

Conversely, Jawando has also witnessed the darker side of technological advancements. Her mother has been a victim of online scams, and Jawando, leveraging her expertise as a civil rights attorney, has helped her navigate the aftermath. This duality – technology enabling community for one child while posing financial risks to another – is not a contradiction to her, but rather the very essence of the issue. The critical question is not whether technology is inherently good or bad, but rather "who is it designed for, and who gets to decide."

A Call for Depth: Reclaiming Human Identity in the Digital Age

Towards the conclusion of the conversation, Jawando’s perspective resonated deeply, eliciting an emotional response. After a decade of social media’s tendency to promote curated highlight reels and performative lives, the idea that the current AI moment might encourage a return to depth, individual identity, and self-discovery beneath the digital surface was profoundly moving.

Jawando embraced this sentiment with a warm laugh. "I love that," she said. "And that is why I want to design a better future than the one we’ve been given. That is what I am waking up every day fighting for. For my kids."

She reiterated her unwavering belief in the power of parents: "And the only person I would never bet against is a parent. Because parents will go to the mat. People cannot understand that. I thought I was good before – and then I became a mom. I would take you out." This powerful statement underscores the fierce, protective instinct that drives parents to advocate for their children’s well-being in an increasingly complex technological world. The ongoing dialogue surrounding AI and its integration into our lives, particularly for younger generations, is a testament to the critical need for thoughtful design, informed guidance, and a collective commitment to harnessing technology’s potential for human flourishing.

About Michele L. Jawando:

Michele L. Jawando is the CEO of the Omidyar Network, a social change venture dedicated to fostering a more equitable and inclusive society through advancements in technology, democracy, and economic opportunity. A former executive at Google and a seasoned civil rights attorney, her distinguished career includes significant work on the staff of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. She is also a co-chair of Humanity AI, a coalition focused on shaping the future of artificial intelligence through collaboration across philanthropy, education, and civil society. Jawando resides in the Washington, D.C. area within an intergenerational household, sharing her home with her husband, four children, and her parents.