For years, parents have been trying to keep up with social media, screen time, and the ever-evolving digital world their children inhabit. But according to technology thought leader Don Tapscott, what’s coming next could dwarf everything that came before it.
“This is the biggest change ever,” Tapscott, a digital theorist, author and Executive Chairman of the Blockchain Research Institute told Lianne Castelino during an interview for Where Parents Talk. “And it’s a weird thing that this is coming… there are no books about it and people are just starting to talk about it now.”
Tapscott outlined a future shaped by what he calls “identic AI”—a new phase of artificial intelligence that could redefine how families live, learn, and relate to one another. It’s the subject of his latest book, You to the Power of Two.
A Day in the Life—with AI Running Ahead
To understand identic AI, Tapscott paints a picture of the near future.
Imagine waking up and, before you’ve even had your morning coffee, your personal AI agent has already analyzed your sleep, adjusted your workout plan, curated your news, organized your schedule, and even handled work tasks.
“Your agent has not only mapped out your schedule, it’s already solved a whole bunch of problems,” he explains. “It’s attending conferences on your behalf… it’s even closing real estate deals within your framework.”
This isn’t just about convenience. Tapscott describes these systems as “digital versions of ourselves”—agents that act, decide, and learn on our behalf.
For parents, that raises both exciting possibilities and urgent concerns.
From Generative AI to “Digital You”
Most families are just getting used to tools like ChatGPT. But Tapscott says that’s only the beginning. “The next stage is called agentic AI, where agents could do things without being prompted,” he said. “But the most important agents… are the personal agents.”
These personal agents—what he calls “Digital You”—could function as:
- A doctor monitoring your health 24/7
- A tutor who “knows everything”
- A career advisor, planner, and assistant
- Even a “parent co-advisor”
“They’re your librarian, your memory, your literal know-it-all,” Tapscott says.
For children growing up with this technology, the implications are profound.
Kids Are Already Ahead—and That Gap Is Growing
If parents feel behind on technology now, Tapscott says that gap is nothing new—but it’s about to widen dramatically. “This is the first time in human history when children are an authority about something really important,” he notes.
He calls it a “generation lap,” where kids are effectively lapping their parents on the digital track. “You know, if you have a teenager in your house, who’s the system administrator?” he asked.
For many families, the answer is obvious. Children today grow up immersed in technology, treating it as naturally as previous generations treated household appliances. “They have no fear of technology because it isn’t there—it’s like the air,” Tapscott says.
Why Parents Can’t Sit This One Out
While some parents may feel tempted to limit or avoid AI altogether, Tapscott is clear: that’s not a viable option. “You go to work and your colleague has a superpower and you don’t—I don’t think that’s really a viable alternative,” he says.
AI-powered tools could soon influence everything from education to health care. Those who understand and use them effectively may have a significant advantage. “It’s not an option for each of us,” he emphasizes. “Kids are going to get all over this faster than we are.”
Building a Family “Social Contract” Around Tech
So what can parents do?
Tapscott suggests going back to a principle that worked in the early days of the internet: creating a family social contract. “It’s a deal,” he explains. “We’re going to get certain things, we’re going to do certain things, and we have an agreement.”
Rather than relying solely on parental controls or surveillance, Tapscott advocates for open dialogue and shared responsibility. “Use this as an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with your kid,” he said. “Don’t use it as an opportunity for confrontation.”
He believes conversations about technology should include values, responsibility, and real-world implications—not just rules.
The Real Risk: Outsourcing Thinking
One of the most significant concerns isn’t just screen time—it’s cognitive development.
With identic AI, the risk shifts from outsourcing memory (like using GPS or search engines) to outsourcing thinking itself. “We’re not just outsourcing memory to a computer—we’re outsourcing thinking,” Tapscott warns.
That raises a critical question: will AI make children smarter—or more dependent? “Is that a great thing that’s going to make us all geniuses,” he asks, “or is that going to make us… intellectually lazy and dumb us down terribly?”
His advice: encourage kids to use AI as a tool, not a replacement. “They can use it to help with research… to stimulate thinking,” he says. “But in the end, they need to write their own essay.”
Identity in the Age of AI
Perhaps the most complex issue for parents is how AI will shape a child’s identity.
Today, identity is increasingly tied to data—what Tapscott calls a “trail of digital crumbs.” But in the future, that data won’t just exist—it will act. “That identity… is getting an IQ. It’s becoming smart and it’s becoming an agent,” he explains.
In other words, a child’s digital identity could become an extension of their intelligence. That makes parental guidance more important than ever. “It’s so important that that digital agent is driven and controlled by your values,” Tapscott says.
The Battle Over Who Owns Your Child’s Data
Another major concern is ownership.
Currently, much of our personal data is controlled by large tech companies. Tapscott compares this to “digital feudalism.”
“You create this asset… and it’s captured by these tech landlords,” he says.
For children, this could mean losing control over not just their data—but their digital identity and AI agents. “It’s one thing for a tech company to own your data,” he says. “It’s another thing to own an extension of your intelligence.”
Preparing Kids for an Uncertain Future
With AI poised to disrupt industries, even traditional advice about education may no longer apply. “90% of all programming will be done by AI at the end of next year,” Tapscott noted, citing industry forecasts.
Instead, he suggests focusing on skills that AI can’t easily replace:
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Ethical judgment
- The ability to discern truth
“Even knowing what’s true… will be such a huge challenge,” he says.
For Tapscott, the message to parents is clear: awareness is the first step. “We need to create an awakening,” he said. “We all need to get informed.”
But awareness alone isn’t enough. Families must actively shape how this technology fits into their lives.
“We can watch this blow by blow and be swept away by it,” he said, “or we can decide we’re going to make a choice… and design our lives.”
The Bottom Line for Parents
The age of identic AI isn’t a distant future—it’s arriving quickly. And for families, the stakes are high. From redefining identity to reshaping education and relationships, this technology will touch nearly every aspect of parenting.
But Tapscott offers a measured perspective: this isn’t just something to fear—it’s something to shape. “The future is not something to be predicted,” he said. “It’s something to be achieved.”
For parents navigating this new frontier, that may be the most important takeaway of all.
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