AI at the Dinner Table: How Families Are Learning Together
Part 1 of 3 in our series: AI in Real Life — From Dinner Table to Boardroom to Ballfield
I recently came across a quote by Mark Cuban while he was speaking at SXSW that made me pause:
“If I were 16, 18, or 21 today, I’d dedicate every waking moment to learning AI. Even in my sleep. I’d be listening to AI podcasts.”
It’s a strong statement from someone who has built his career on tech advances, but it reflects what many of us are feeling: AI is here, and it’s not slowing down. In fact, it seems to be advancing at an exponential rate.
Some educators worry that AI will become a crutch for students—a way to fake their work instead of learning the hard lessons. But I believe the opposite can be true if we teach it well. The earlier kids learn to use new technology, the more creative and resourceful they become. They don't just absorb knowledge; they apply it in ways we never expected. What’s fascinating is that the learning often flows in both directions. Here’s a great read from the University of Illinois - College of Education: AI in Schools: Pros and Cons
I’ve heard so many stories from parents who say their kids are the ones introducing them to new AI tools. They’re asking ChatGPT to help them write stories, summarize articles, generate coding snippets, or even brainstorm YouTube content ideas. I recently read where a dad said his son used AI to design a Minecraft world and then used it to write a backstory for the game. This isn’t just education—it’s collaboration.
The dinner table has become a place where families explore tech together. It’s where curiosity meets conversation. And in that space, AI isn’t something to fear—it’s something to engage with. When kids get to play with tools like AI, they become builders. And when they teach us what they learn, we become better parents, better professionals, and better citizens of a rapidly changing world.
My kids quickly found the recent trend of making yourself into an action figure very fun and so they shared the prompt with me and we decided to make action figures of Chris and I for this post. It is a silly example of the relationship AI has at the dinner table but what contributed to a conversation piece we are using here. My son and I talked about how he can also use ChatGPT to build sample tests over subjects he’s studying in order to prepare for upcoming tests. There’s a limitless way to use AI to learn and grow.
So here’s what I want to know:
How are YOU using AI in your home?
Has your child taught you something about AI that you’ve since used in your work?
This is Part 1 in a three-part series exploring AI in our everyday lives. Next, we’ll dive into how AI is transforming the boardroom. After that, we’ll explore how it’s reshaping the ballfield—from performance tracking to sports analytics.
We want to start the conversation with our followers and our clients. Visit the link to this in our LinkedIn Page, drop your stories in the comments or share with someone who’s learning from their kids every day. Local Fractional is not just a fractional CFO firm. We are strategic partners to our clients who are looking to grow with a team of thought leaders. We are building and defining efficiencies for our clients well beyond the financial statements as we know it takes a team to grow a successful business.
Interested in working with us? Contact us today!
