What Sam Altman, Alexa, and My 7-Year-Old Have in Common

Happy Monday!

This weekend I caught my 7-year-old asking Alexa to help with her math homework. She wasn't just looking for answers—she wanted Alexa to explain the problem step-by-step. What struck me wasn't the technology itself, but how naturally she navigated it.

Kids today interact with AI so differently than we do. My daughter treats these tools like an extension of her learning process, while I still approach them with that hint of digital immigrant caution. That gap got me thinking about what's really at stake as we integrate AI into our family lives.

TRENDING IN THE DIGITAL PARENTING WORLD:

1. OpenAI CEO doesn't want his infant befriending AI Sam Altman made headlines this week stating he wouldn't want his newborn son to develop a best-friend relationship with AI systems. During Senate testimony, he emphasized the need for stronger protections for children than adults when using AI. "These AI systems will get to know you over the course of your life so well — that presents a new challenge and level of importance for how we think about privacy," Altman noted. [Source: businessinsider.com/sam-altman-openai-senate-ai-children-chatbot-safety-friend-2025-5]

2. Alexa+ with Anthropic delayed but worth the wait The anticipated Alexa+ update powered by Anthropic's Claude AI is facing delays, but promises significant upgrades for family smart homes. The integration will enable smarter home routines, improved parental controls, and hands-free help that better understands context and household patterns. Many parents report excitement about better safeguards and more intuitive family assistance. [Source: warrenschuitema.com/post/what-is-alexa-plus-with-anthropic]

3. SchoolAI launches free AI readiness program for educators A new initiative called SchoolAI is offering a no-cost program helping teachers prepare for AI in the classroom. The platform allows educators to create content, set up AI-based activities, and track student progress through comprehensive dashboards. This low-risk approach lets schools test AI integration before making larger commitments. [Source: govtech.com/education/k-12/schoolai-offers-free-ai-readiness-program-for-educators]

THIS WEEK'S POWER MOVE:

AI for Pet Recovery: Families with furry members take note – Petco Love Lost is using advanced AI photo matching to reunite lost pets with their families. The system helped reunite a dog named Millie with her owner within 13 hours after she escaped her collar and ran 10 miles. Simply upload a photo and the AI scans thousands of shelter listings nationwide. Our cats Anna and Elsa are strictly indoor, but I've already created profiles for them just in case. Get peace of mind at petcolovelost.org.

LATEST BLOG ARTICLES:

What Is Alexa+ with Anthropic? A complete guide explaining how the Amazon-Anthropic partnership will reshape family smart homes in 2025, focusing on features, privacy controls, and practical applications. https://warrenschuitema.com/post/what-is-alexa-plus-with-anthropic

The Lighthouse Parenting Trend Discover the parenting approach gaining popularity in 2025 that balances guidance with independence, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence in kids. https://warrenschuitema.com/post/lighthouse-parenting-2025

AI for Peace of Mind: Managing Stressful Life Transitions Learn how families are using AI tools to reduce stress, stay organized during major life changes, and support emotional wellness at home. https://warrenschuitema.com/post/ai-for-peace-of-mind-how-families-can-use-ai-to-manage-stressful-life-in-2025

BONUS: FAMILY AI CHALLENGE

This week's challenge: Create a family AI policy together! Gather everyone (yes, even your 2-year-old can participate at their level) and draft simple guidelines about when and how AI tools are used in your home.

Some starter questions:

• When are AI assistants helpful for homework?

• What questions should we never ask AI?

• What family information stays private from our devices?

My daughter surprised me with her suggestion: "We should always say thank you to AI, even though it's not real people." Smart kid!  I’ve always told her you never know when Skynet will take over. LOL.

Share your family's most interesting AI rule in our Facebook group – I'd love to see what your crew comes up with!

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Have questions about balancing screen time? Want to share your own AI parenting wins? Join our "AI-Powered Super Parents" Facebook group to connect with other families navigating this new territory.

Until next week,

Warren S.

P.S. Last night both cats somehow triggered our smart speaker to play cat sounds at 3 AM. AI is amazing... until it's not! Still working on teaching Anna and Elsa about tech boundaries.