FT reviews Daniel Susskind book on children and work in the AI era

In short: A Financial Times review says Daniel Susskind’s book offers a cautious but practical look at how children can plan for careers as automation grows.

What’s going on

The Financial Times has reviewed a new book by economist Daniel Susskind called What Should My Children Do?. The review frames the book as “sobering yet nuanced,” meaning it takes the risks seriously but does not treat the future as hopeless.

The core issue is automation, which is when software and machines take over tasks that people used to do. A simple example is how spellcheck took over a small part of editing, and newer AI tools can now take on bigger chunks of writing, coding, and customer support.

In the review, Susskind’s message is that young people may need to think less about training for one fixed job title and more about building skills that still matter when tools get better. That includes learning how to work with new tools, and focusing on strengths that are harder to copy, like clear communication, good judgment, and understanding people.

What to watch

Books like this can shape how parents, schools, and policymakers talk about education and careers. Watch for whether schools change what they teach and how they test students, especially around when it is acceptable to use AI help and how to prove you understand the work yourself.

Source: Financial Times