All my interactions with AI and my exposure to the vast variety of AI-generated content have only fortified my belief.

AI can be a tool only for those who have “already” developed their critical thinking skills. For all others, it’s a “dumb-me-down” potion, and that, unfortunately, includes children who are in the process of developing their critical thinking.

The more I talk to people, the more I realize that the smartest people I’ve known in my life have been the ones who had a fair understanding of Math, or Languages, or both. And because they learned these as children, their cognitive faculties automatically got wired for critical thinking.

Skills that Math Helps you Develop

Among other skills, mathematics enables you to develop:

  • Logical reasoning
  • Working memory
  • Mental flexibility
  • Spatial intelligence
  • Critical thinking
  • Problem-solving

Skills that Languages Help you Develop

Learning languages and developing proficiency in them will help you develop and strengthen:

  • Memory (short-term and long-term)
  • Efficient use of working memory
  • Analytical skills
  • Pattern-recognition
  • Growth of gray cells
  • Metacognition

The list of competencies that I’ve noted here isn’t exhaustive, and yes, the competencies that you develop through math and language, overlap.

So, if you are asking the question: what are the foundational subjects that your child should study? The answer is fairly direct: Language and Mathematics.

It doesn’t matter whether they specialize in these subjects or not, but they should learn the fundamentals.

And if you are asking the question: What cognitive skills should you continue to develop to stay relevant? The answer remains the same: Math and Languages. Don’t stay stuck. Don’t keep telling yourself that you’ve never done it, so you can’t do it. Pick up a math book or start learning a new language.

Why learn Mathematics and Languages despite AI?

Stay mentally agile always!