Nurturing Flames and Machine Interaction - Crucial Skills Modern Children Should Master Today
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, Fabian Westerheide, a founding partner of AI.FUND and a venture capital investor focused on AI, is advocating for a future-ready technical education. He believes that practical application, interdisciplinary knowledge, and digital competence should be the three pillars of this education.
Westerheide, who has been privately investing in AI companies via Asgard Capital since 2014, is not just an investor but also a father. He practices digital mindfulness in his family life, keeping smartphones away during family activities, and encourages his son to explore interactive technology over screen-based entertainment.
The importance of digital competence is not lost on Westerheide's son's school either. A study by the University of Augsburg shows that social well-being increases and distractions in class decrease when mobile phones are banned, although the effects on learning performance remain moderate. In fact, several countries, including France and Germany, have already implemented mobile phone bans in schools. Germany plans to ban mobile phones in primary schools by 2025, with other federal states following suit, while France has been banning smartphones for 3- to 15-year-olds in schools since 2018. The Netherlands has seen an increase in teacher approval after a year of banning mobile phones.
Westerheide's personal motto for his son's education is that he must learn to make fire and speak with machines. To teach these skills, he uses simple logical concepts like AND and OR with his son using a book called "Programming for Babies". He also spends a lot of time outdoors with his son to encourage exploration and discovery.
Westerheide's commitment to technology extends beyond his home and investments. He strategically advises public and private institutions in the field of AI and annually hosts the AI conference Rise of AI in Berlin. He also regularly writes about AI for Gründerszene.
However, Westerheide is not just about promoting technology. He believes that technology should be present in a child's life with intention. He advocates for programs that empower parents to handle technology responsibly, and he supports initiatives like "Together Online: Search.Find.Understand" that help families develop digital competencies together. He also emphasises the need for clear rules and protective measures when individual responsibility fails in handling technology.
In light of the increasing importance of AI in the future, 69% of students consider AI competency important for their future careers, and 63% of German students believe they don't learn enough about AI in school. Baden-Württemberg plans to integrate AI compulsorily into the new subject "Informatik and Media Education" from the school year 2025/26.
Westerheide's vision for the future of technical education is one that is practical, interdisciplinary, and digitally competent, and his actions reflect his commitment to making this vision a reality.
