Is AI Making Kids Stop Thinking? How to Raise Curious Kids

Worried AI will make your kids stop thinking?

If you’ve watched your child ask a chatbot for the answer and wondered what that’s doing to their brain, you’re not alone, and the picture is more hopeful than the headlines suggest. In this episode of Raising Good Humans, developmental psychologist Dr. Aliza Pressman talks with theoretical neuroscientist and AI researcher Dr. Vivienne Ming, author of Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People. Drawing on decades of research into what predicts a good life, Vivienne explains why the skills that matter most haven’t changed: curiosity, resilience, intellectual humility, perspective-taking, and a sense of purpose. Better still, these are skills parents can help grow.

What you’ll learn:

The research-backed traits that predict long-term success

Why most students using AI put in 40% less mental effort, and what to do differently

How AI that asks questions instead of giving answers can help kids think more deeply

Why praising interesting questions, not just correct answers, builds curiosity

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS:

Learn more from Dr. Vivienne Ming: 📘 “Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People”:

https://socos.org/robot-proof

🌐 Website: https://socos.org/about-vivienne

Buy Dr. Aliza Pressman's Books:

✨ Preorder “The Orchid Code: How Temperament Shapes Who We Become":

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250462312/theorchidcode/

📖 Order "The 5 Principles of Parenting" by Dr. Aliza Pressman: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-5-Principles-of-Parenting/Aliza-Pressman/9781668014547

Follow Raising Good Humans:

📱 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/raisinggoodhumanspodcast/

🎙 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-good-humans/id1473072044

Subscribe on Substack for weekly articles and exclusive LIVE Q&As:

📧 https://dralizapressman.substack.com/

This episode is brought to you by:

Merit Beauty: Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag – which if you’ve seen it, it’s not just a make-up bag but really an accessory – free with your first order at meritbeauty.com.

OneSkin: Born from over 10 years of longevity research, OneSkin is helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code RGH at oneskin.co/RGH

Understood.org: Zero Reject is an investigative podcast from Understood.org, a nonprofit helping millions of people navigate neurodivergence. To listen, follow this link: https://lnk.to/zerorejectPS!raisinggoodhumans

Little Spoon: Feeding the kids doesn’t have to be complicated. Get 30% off your first online order at littlespoon.com/HUMANS with code HUMANS.

Momentous: Momentous Signature Spec Creatine is setting a new standard for creatine quality. If you want to try Momentous Signature Spec Creatine, head to livemomentous.com and use code HUMANS for up to 35% off your entire first order.

ADT: This is your time to make memories. Let ADT handle protecting your home. Visit ADT.com or call 1-800-ADT-ASAP. When every second counts, count on ADT.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices