Traditional education systems may be obsolete in the AI era, but alternatives remain inadequate
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/emmabrockes. "My kids are taking their first big exams – and revealing my own anxieties about AI and long division | Emma Brockes | The Guardian." May 7, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
The author argues that while old-school education and testing might not make sense anymore because of AI and changing jobs, the newer 'everyone gets a prize' approach doesn't work either. She's stuck helping her kid with math she can't do herself, wondering if any of this matters, but concluding we haven't figured out what should replace the old system.
Conclusion
While traditional education systems (including standardized testing like Sats) may be becoming obsolete due to AI and changing job markets, current alternative approaches are insufficient, leaving parents and educators in an uncertain position about how to prepare children for the future
Premises
- AI is eliminating entry-level jobs that traditional education pathways were designed to prepare students for
- University degrees are becoming increasingly expensive while being misaligned with the actual skills young people need
- Current standardized tests measure a narrow definition of intelligence that may not predict future success
- Alternative 'gentle parenting' and low-pressure assessment systems have proven inadequate in practice
- Learning to work under pressure and meet deadlines remains a valuable life skill regardless of subject matter
- Traditional educational milestones serve important ritualistic and developmental purposes even if their content becomes obsolete
Assumptions
- The current pace of technological change (particularly AI) will continue to disrupt traditional career paths
- Parents have a responsibility to prepare their children for future success
- Some form of structured challenge and assessment is beneficial for child development
- The traditional pathway of school → university → entry-level job was previously effective but is now breaking down