Math or Language in the era of AI

• 5 min read
Parent Leadership
Math or Arts - what skills matter in the age of AI

My daughter is 9 years old, in 4th grade.

And lately I've been thinking ahead: Math & Science High School or the American College? Technical skills or social skills? Depth or breadth?

As someone working professionally in AI, I started asking a deeper question: What skills will our kids actually need?

What the data says

Before forming opinions, it helps to look at data.

According to World Economic Forum reports from 2025 and 2026:

🔴 92 million jobs will disappear by 2030
🟢 170 million new ones will be created

So - there will be work.

But there will also be constant reskilling.

Our kids will likely work in jobs that don't exist yet. And they will probably change careers 3 times in their lifetime.

That completely reframes the question.

It's no longer about choosing the "right school". It's about choosing the right capabilities.

1. The ability to learn

If you're going to change careers multiple times, you need to be able to learn new things at 40 or 60 - not just at 20.

According to Dr. Andrew Huberman, learning is not supposed to feel easy.

Effective learning involves effort, frustration, even discomfort. That's how the brain actually adapts.

We like the idea of "learning through play." But real life won't always feel like play.

Which is why we shouldn't automatically avoid more demanding academic environments.

Because they teach something fundamental:

👉 how to learn

2. Analytical thinking

AI doesn't eliminate jobs - it changes them.

Work shifts from doing → deciding.

Also - AI makes mistakes. Regularly.

Someone needs to catch them.

Analytical thinking is the ability to:

👉 This is where STEM education is extremely valuable.

3. Resilience

If a child gives up easily, it becomes a serious problem in a world where they'll need to restart their careers multiple times.

We live in a highly competitive environment, with constant comparison and the stress coming out of that.

Resilience is what allows someone to:

At home, I use a simple phrase with my kids:
- "Try again."
When the Lego tower falls apart, I don't build it for them. I sit next to them, calm them down, and guide them to try again.

Finally, the tower is completed.
👉 And more importantly, the habit of not giving up is built.

4. Communication

Clear communication is a long-term advantage.

Working with AI actually requires structured thinking and precise language.

For me, debate club was one of the most valuable experiences in school. It helped me develop communication skills - even as an introvert.

Today's kids are constantly on YouTube and Minecraft. This puts even more emphasis on the need to develop communication skills.

5. The underestimated part

School is only part of the equation.

What happens outside it matters just as much.

A child who:

... develops something more important than any curriculum:

👉 adaptability

The takeaway

Instead of focusing only on the right school, aim for balance:

And at home - less answering, more questioning.

I think I've already answered my own question: Math school or American College 🙂

P. S.
Many people ask me:
- "What are we doing with digital skills? Should children use AI?"

This is a long and controversial topic. I will share my opinion in a separate article.

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