The Guardian · 13 Oct, 11:03 · Technology briefing

As a pediatrician, loss of human connection is the biggest threat to kids, not AI

A prominent paediatrician argues that the erosion of genuine human connection poses a greater risk to children’s development than artificial intelligence.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A prominent paediatrician argues that the erosion of genuine human connection poses a greater risk to children’s development than artificial intelligence. The article suggests that while technology advances, the fundamental need for empathy, presence, and relational care remains critical in healthcare and education. It highlights a growing concern that digital substitution may inadvertently diminish the quality of interpersonal interactions essential for healthy childhood outcomes, urging a re-evaluation of how technology is integrated into child-centric services.

Employer demand for Psychology skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must prioritise irreplaceable human skills like empathy, active listening, and complex emotional intelligence. As automation handles routine tasks, roles requiring deep interpersonal trust gain significant value. Professionals in healthcare, education, and client-facing sectors should actively develop these soft skills. Invest in training that enhances relational competence rather than purely technical proficiency. Seek opportunities where human judgment and compassion are central to service delivery. Demonstrate your ability to build meaningful connections in every interaction. This shift positions you as indispensable in an increasingly automated landscape, ensuring your career remains resilient against technological disruption.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Psychology, Healthcare Management, Education and Human Resources — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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