Michele L. Jawando, a formidable figure at the intersection of technology, civil rights, and social impact, is charting a course toward a more hopeful future for artificial intelligence, particularly for younger generations. As the CEO of the Omidyar Network, a social change venture, and a former executive at Google, Jawando brings a unique perspective forged in the crucible of technological innovation and its societal consequences. Her recent discourse, which has resonated with an unexpected optimism, centers on the crucial distinction between AI as an immutable destiny and AI as a deliberately designed system—one that can, and must, learn from the cautionary tales of the social media era.

Jawando’s perspective is informed by a rich professional background. Her tenure at Google included significant work on accessibility with the National Federation for the Blind, an experience that underscored the imperative of inclusive design from the outset of product development. Her legal expertise as a civil rights attorney further sharpens her understanding of equity and the potential for technology to exacerbate or alleviate societal disparities. This dual lens—technological acumen and a commitment to justice—positions her as a critical voice in the ongoing conversation about AI’s role in society. She has actively engaged with policymakers, testifying before Congress and participating in high-profile forums like SXSW alongside figures such as Van Jones, drawing attention from major media outlets like Politico and WIRED. Furthermore, she co-chairs Humanity AI, a coalition dedicated to shaping the ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence through collaboration between philanthropy, education, and civil society.

The urgency of this conversation is underscored by alarming trends in how young people perceive AI. A recent Gallup study revealed a significant decline in Gen Z’s enthusiasm for artificial intelligence, with excitement dropping by 14 points in a single year. Concurrently, feelings of hopefulness have decreased by 9 points, while anger has risen by 9 points. These statistics paint a stark picture of a generation grappling with the implications of a technology that, for many, elicits more apprehension than aspiration. This sentiment is not lost on Jawando, who has witnessed the profound impact of the social media revolution on youth development.

"AI is not destiny," Jawando asserted in a recent discussion. "It is designed. 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 conviction is not born of idealism alone but from years of observing the unintended consequences of technology when profit motives overshadow human well-being. She draws a parallel to the foundational promise of technology, as envisioned in her own youth through science fiction like Star Trek, where innovation served to connect people, solve problems, and expand human understanding. "At its core, that was the thing technology was supposed to do," she 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."

The Shifting Landscape of AI Regulation and Public Perception

Jawando sees the current moment as a pivotal opportunity to reclaim that original promise of technology. This optimism is fueled by a growing awareness and a burgeoning coalition of stakeholders actively seeking to avoid past mistakes. Over 25 states have already introduced or passed legislation related to AI, indicating a proactive approach to governance that outpaces the regulatory evolution of social media. This movement comprises an unlikely but powerful alliance of religious institutions, parent groups, senior citizens, and young people themselves. Jawando’s own organization supports teenagers who are developing new social applications, driven by a desire for alternatives to the digital environments they have inherited.

The "curiosity gap" identified by Jawando, however, offers a more nuanced view of Gen Z’s relationship with AI. While overall optimism may be waning, nearly half of Gen Zers still express curiosity about the technology. Jawando interprets this curiosity not as passive interest, but as an indicator of critical thinking. "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 discernment, she suggests, stems from an intuitive understanding that current offerings may be falling short, a sentiment she encapsulated as "weak sauce."

Empowering Parents and Consumers in the AI Ecosystem

Jawando’s insights offer a practical roadmap for parents navigating the complexities of AI with their children. Her primary advice is for parents to cultivate their own curiosity, delving into the "why" behind their children’s engagement with technology rather than merely policing usage. This involves understanding the specific benefits and functionalities of platforms and seeking out alternatives that prioritize user well-being over data extraction.

Crucially, Jawando emphasizes the often-underestimated power of consumers and parents. "You have more power than it feels like," she stated. She points to the emergence of companies like Spill, a social platform that has made conscious decisions to moderate content and protect users, as evidence that a market for responsible technology exists and is growing. "We can move as consumers toward things that are safer, more holistic, more wholesome," she urged. "You are not alone, and there are whole ecosystems being built."

The speed at which AI regulation is being discussed and implemented, Jawando believes, is a direct result of the lessons learned from the social media era, where parental advocacy ultimately forced a reckoning. "It was parents who made the biggest breakthrough in understanding what happened," she recalled. "We were seeing it. We were experiencing it. We saw our kids, and we were like: what is happening here." This heightened awareness, she contends, has created a more receptive environment for proactive AI governance.

Rethinking Education and Intelligence in the Age of AI

The proliferation of AI tools in educational settings presents a significant challenge, particularly regarding the temptation to outsource critical thinking. Jawando reframes the conversation away from a prescriptive "don’t use AI" approach, which she views as counterproductive given children’s lifelong immersion in digital environments. Instead, she advocates for a fundamental shift in how we conceive of learning and intelligence.

"Every child in school right now has grown up with a device in front of them their whole life," she observed. "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 deeper issue, according to Jawando, lies in educational systems that still prioritize rote memorization and easily quantifiable answers, which AI can readily provide. The true value of human intellect, she argues, resides in higher-order thinking: understanding context, identifying underlying tensions, posing novel questions, and synthesizing information in creative ways.

Cultivating Individual Wisdom and Human Creativity

Jawando’s most profound insight centers on the need to foster and celebrate individual wisdom. "I think we too often skip over our children’s individual wisdom," she remarked. "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 moves beyond the common refrain that AI cannot replace human creativity. Jawando emphasizes that the current technological moment is compelling us to ask a more fundamental question: what is uniquely and divinely special about each child? What narrative can only they tell? What insights do they possess that no algorithm has been trained on? "Our identities, the things that are yours and mine," she stated, "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."

This philosophy is deeply rooted in her lived experience as a mother of four, raising children in an intergenerational household. She sees the potential for AI to be a powerful tool for accommodation and connection, citing the example of one of her daughters who is autistic and found community and belonging within platforms like Roblox, where she could connect with other neurodiverse individuals in a less friction-filled social environment. "I get to see this through their eyes," she said, "and then I get to work on it at home and at work."

However, she is also acutely aware of the dual nature of technology. Her own mother has been a victim of online scams, a stark reminder of how the same systems that foster community can also be exploited to cause harm. This duality, for Jawando, is not a contradiction but the very essence of the challenge. 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 Future Forged by Parental Resolve

The conversation concludes with a powerful affirmation of parental agency. Jawando’s dedication to designing a better future for AI stems from a fierce commitment to her children. "And the only person I would never bet against is a parent," she declared. "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 sentiment encapsulates the unwavering resolve that she believes will ultimately shape the trajectory of AI development, pushing it towards a more human-centric and equitable future. The challenges are significant, but with informed advocacy and a commitment to prioritizing human values, the path toward a more beneficial AI era remains within reach.