Building minds for an uncertain future? Nurturing care in early childhood is more important than ever.

Recent innovations including the launch of powerful artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT provide a glimpse into a very different future where machines increasingly take on tasks that were previously considered the preserve of humans. What these large language models and their successors mean for the near future of work remains uncertain, yet it is increasingly clear that these changes will be radical. Whole cadres of workers will work with, or be replaced by, machines. The prediction in 2017 that nearly 60% of all occupations are automatable, already looks potentially out of date.1 Contrary to early predictions, even some highly skilled jobs in law, journalism and medicine may disappear entirely and machines may also play increasing roles in child development and healthcare.2 Moreover, these technological shifts will occur against the backdrop of vast disruptions due to climate change and a breakdown of the planetary health systems on which human beings rely; changes likely to precipitate or exacerbate conflicts and displacement.3