I love music. In truth, I am a frustrated musician wannabe. I’m also a rather average drummer. After 40 plus years in technology, it’s hard to believe that my undergraduate degree is in Painting. However, in college, I hated technology — until it was time to earn a living for our family. Then, I learned to adapt and appreciate the value of both Art and technology.
Now, the same crossroads that I encountered in the 1980s stand before millions of parents. The jobs your children dream about may not exist by the time they graduate, and your own career may be reshaped faster than expected. This article offers a roadmap to help families stay ahead by focusing not just on what’s changing, but on how to thrive when change becomes constant.
Artificial intelligence has become a defining force in 2025, reshaping industries from media production to logistics. Graphic design, animation, and even full-scale video and audio are now created through simple prompts—tools like Suno and Sounder AI allow users to generate entire songs in seconds. While this democratizes creativity, it also threatens traditional roles in production, editing, and engineering.
Robotics and AI agents are advancing into manual labor sectors—warehouses, restaurants, and hotels—where repetitive tasks are increasingly automated. Even software engineering jobs at companies like Microsoft are being reimagined, with AI bots writing and debugging code.
This shift has profound implications for education. Students today may train for careers that won’t exist by the time they graduate. Schools must pivot from rote learning to teaching adaptability, emotional intelligence, and ethical reasoning—skills that machines can’t replicate.
AI and the Future of Music: Tools Like Sono and Songer
AI-generated music is no longer experimental—it’s mainstream. Platforms like Suno and Songer allow users to create full songs from text prompts, mimicking styles of famous artists or inventing entirely new genres. These tools are transforming how music is composed, produced, and distributed. You might ask, “Is that really music?” Below is an example of lyrics that I wrote and then used Songer to make it a song. It’s about a teen girl who is living vicariously through the online lives of others. The lyrics are mine. I wrote the prompt describing the sound and instruments that I wanted. But Songer did the rest.
Is it music? By the way, Jamison Smith does not exist. I generated him using AI to demonstrate the simplicity AI can bring to something that was once complicated. However, for the record, I have concerns that AI could take the humanity out of the world of writing, music, and Art. But to suggest that it will not play a role in these fields moving forward is naive.
Jamison Smith – The Girl Next Door Video on YouTube v2
The same thing might have been said when photography first emerged from dark rooms. Is the Ansel Adams photograph to the left of this paragraph, Art?
We all might have an opinion.
Streaming services like Spotify are already integrating AI-generated tracks into playlists. Some artists, like Holly Herndon, are embracing the shift by creating AI versions of their own voices. Others, like Bad Bunny, have publicly rejected AI-generated impersonations.
The consequences are complex:
– Pros: Faster production, personalized soundtracks, creative experimentation
– Cons: Copyright concerns, job displacement, erosion of artistic authenticity
Industry leaders warn that without regulation, AI could flood platforms with synthetic music, making it harder for human artists to compete.
I was in the media business for several years. So many of my friends are concerned about what this will do to their careers. But the same was true when the film industry butted heads with the video industry. Or, when artists who used traditional tools like oils on stretched canvas discovered Ansel Adams.
But as I mentioned earlier, music and media are not the only areas that will be impacted. Outside of the borders of the media world, some actual jobs/careers will not exist in the next 5-10 years.
For example:
Will working in a warehouse require real people if robots can do the same job cheaper?
If robots and automation can prepare food faster, better, and for less cost, is there a career in fast food?
If AI can read, draft legal documents, and research legal decisions, will there be a need for Paralegals?
If AI can do software coding better and faster than a software engineer or programmer, will such careers still be worth pursuing?
I can not emphasize this enough: parents and educators need to be working with students NOW, to help students navigate their way to future careers.
Below are 10 points that you can use to help your child or your students prepare for a future that will be much different than today.
- Critical Thinking
Teach kids to analyze what they see instead of accepting it at face value.
Example: When watching a YouTube video, ask questions like “What’s the message here?” or “Is there another side to this story?” - Media Literacy
Help kids spot fake content and understand how images, videos, and stories can be digitally manipulated.
Example: Show them before-and-after photos that were filtered or AI-enhanced, then discuss why someone might edit them. - Creative Expression
Encourage originality through writing, music, drawing, or digital tools so they discover their own voice.
Example: Let them write a short song using tools like Suno or create a comic strip reflecting their emotions or dreams. - Emotional Intelligence
Guide kids in recognizing feelings, showing empathy, and resolving conflicts respectfully.
Example: Use storybooks or real-life scenarios to ask, “How do you think that character felt?” and “What would you do?” - Tech Ethics
Discuss responsible use of technology, including privacy, fairness, and consequences.
Example: Explore topics like AI deepfakes or data tracking. Ask, “Is it fair to use someone’s voice without permission?” - Adaptability
Teach children to embrace change and be open to learning new things.
Example: Try unfamiliar tech tools together and encourage growth from trial and error rather than fearing mistakes. - Purpose-Driven Learning
Connect education to values, personal goals, and the impact they want to have on others.
Example: Help them explore careers that match their interests, whether that’s helping animals, solving problems, or storytelling. - Digital Citizenship
Promote respectful, safe, and honest behavior online.
Example: Set rules for posting photos, commenting kindly, and protecting personal information. Reflect on real-world outcomes. - Advocacy Skills
Empower them to speak up for causes they care about or stand against injustice.
Example: Support classroom projects or local volunteer efforts. Teach them how to write an email to a city leader or make a presentation. - Understanding AI Tools
Demystify AI by exploring platforms like Suno or Sounder AI together in a thoughtful and curious way. Example: Create a song or image using AI, then compare it to a human-made version and talk about the differences.
These ten principles offer a roadmap to help children thrive in a fast-changing, AI-powered world. By guiding them to think critically, communicate empathetically, and engage with technology responsibly, parents and educators can shape not just more brilliant students but wiser future leaders. It’s not about resisting change; it’s about raising kids who are prepared to shape it.
