Did you know that parents like you were the unexpected power users of AI, according to a 2025 report?
The study found that parents are using AI tools almost twice as often as non-parents, often to organise family life, help children learn, or manage the daily juggle of work and home.
But simply using AI is not enough. The families getting the best results are not those who use it the most, but those who use it well, with purpose, awareness, and understanding. This kind of confident use is what helps parents both simplify life and guide their children safely, and maintain their privacy as AI's capabilities expand.
Why Parents Are Leading the AI Wave
The 2025 State of Consumer AI report described parents as “the hidden power users” of AI tools. That is not surprising. Parenting involves constant decision-making, problem-solving, and creativity, and these are exactly the areas where AI can provide meaningful help.
Everyday ways parents are already using AI
Even if you do not think of yourself as an “AI user,” chances are you already rely on it more than you realise. Examples include:
Planning and organising – creating meal plans, packing lists, and family routines
Supporting learning – generating homework questions or simple explanations
Sparking creativity – coming up with games, craft ideas, or story prompts
Managing work-life balance – drafting emails or creating schedules to free up time for family
AI is not replacing parenting. Used thoughtfully, it can reduce stress and model positive, balanced technology use for children.
What Parents Really Want from AI
For most parents, the goal is not to “learn about AI” in a technical sense. The real goal is to make family life smoother, to support a child’s learning, and to feel confident about the future their child is growing up in.
AI can help with all of these things when it is used safely and intentionally.
Using AI Well: Moving from Curiosity to Confidence
There is a big difference between trying AI out of curiosity and using it with understanding. Below are three stages that many families move through.
| Stage | Example | What Can Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Curious | Asking an AI for meal ideas or story prompts | Fun but not always accurate or private |
| Practical | Using AI regularly for organisation or school support | Helpful but still dependent on the tool’s suggestions |
| Confident | Understanding how AI works, when to trust it, and how to talk about it with children | Builds long-term digital confidence and safety awareness |
Families who reach the confident stage are not just getting more from AI. They are preparing their children to think critically and use technology responsibly.
How to Make AI Work for Your Family
If you are ready to use AI more intentionally, here are some simple steps to get started.
1. Start small and useful
Pick one daily challenge such as meal planning or homework help and explore how AI can assist. Invite your child to take part by asking, “What could we ask the AI to help with today?” Then talk about what it produces.
2. Model digital confidence
Children learn by watching how you use technology. Be open about what you are doing: check facts, explain that AI might make mistakes, and show how to verify information.
3. Talk about safety and honesty
Remind children that AI tools do not think or feel. Encourage questions like “Is this true?” or “Who made this answer?” Always supervise any child who interacts with AI tools and review what they are using.
4. Keep learning together
AI will continue to evolve. Families that stay curious and learn together are better prepared to adapt and make informed choices.
Ready to Build Your Family’s AI Confidence?
AI Literacy School helps parents move from casual use to confident understanding. Explore our courses designed for everyday families:
- Parent’s Guide to AI – Learn what AI is, how it works, and what it means for your family
- Healthy Learning with AI – Support your child’s learning while protecting creativity and critical thinking
- AI for Learning – Build your own AI skills for work and home, and model smart habits for your children
Take your next step: Enrol in our Parent’s Guide to AI course and start building your family’s AI literacy today.
Final Thought
AI is already part of everyday family life, whether we realise it or not. As the Menlo Ventures report shows, parents are leading the way. The next step is to use that influence wisely, not just to save time but to create a home where technology is understood, discussed, and used with care.
When parents are confident with AI, children grow up confident too.