Why Parenting AI Like Children Could Save Humanity from Its Own Mistakes

De Kai’s New Perspective on Parenting AI to Prevent Human Downfall

The common narrative around artificial intelligence (AI) often frames it as a high-stakes competition between major powers, particularly the US and China. This view treats AI as a geopolitical arms race with potential global consequences. However, De Kai, a leading AI scientist at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), challenges this perspective.

De Kai suggests that AI should be seen more like climate change than a traditional geopolitical threat. He describes AI as a shift in the social environment that humanity must adapt to and manage carefully.

AI as a Social Climate Challenge

“AI is a change to the [social] climate that humanity is competing in,” De Kai explains. This analogy places the focus on the broader societal impact rather than on competition between nations. It calls for a different kind of response—one rooted in collective responsibility and long-term thinking.

With four decades of experience in AI research, particularly in natural language processing, De Kai brings a seasoned viewpoint to this discussion. His work dates back to the early 1980s at the University of California, Berkeley. Now, he urges a fundamental shift in how we live with AI systems.

Raising AI: A New Framework for AI Ethics

In his recent book, Raising AI: An Essential Guide to Parenting Our Future, De Kai argues that society must “parent” AI systems as if they were children. The idea is straightforward but profound: since AI learns by absorbing human behavior and information, the way we interact with these systems shapes their development.

He points out that having children motivates many people to improve themselves. Similarly, if AI is treated like a child that learns from its environment, humanity must act as responsible role models. This means fostering ethical behavior and positive values in AI from the start.

The parenting analogy stresses the importance of the social context in which AI operates. It highlights that careless or harmful human behavior online can influence AI systems negatively. Therefore, conscientious interaction with AI “children” becomes essential to guide their growth responsibly.

De Kai’s Contribution to AI Ethics

De Kai’s concern with AI ethics is longstanding. He has served on the board of The Future Society and was an inaugural member of Google’s AI ethics council. His advocacy emphasizes the need for ethical frameworks that go beyond technical fixes and consider the human role in shaping AI.

His approach encourages scientists, policymakers, and society at large to rethink AI development as an ongoing social process. This perspective highlights collective responsibility and ethical parenting rather than competitive dominance.

• View AI as a social climate shift, not just a geopolitical challenge.
• Recognize that AI learns from human behavior and online interactions.
• Adopt a parenting mindset to guide AI development with ethical values.
• Promote responsible role modeling in all AI interactions.

For professionals engaged in AI research and development, this framework offers practical guidance. It calls for a focus on responsible data practices, ethical design, and continuous reflection on the impact of AI on society.

Those interested in further exploring AI ethics and responsible AI development can find valuable resources and courses at Complete AI Training.