Read Time: 6 minutes

Last week, after our collective 6 children were tucked in bed, I discussed Ammi-ing, AI, and education with Arwa Husain.

Today, we’ll follow Arwa’s journey from studying math at the University of Texas to getting knee-deep in data at Facebook and Pinterest to becoming an AI-powered homeschool mom of 4.

🍃 You’ll discover:

👩‍🌾Let’s dig in!

R: How would you fill in this blank to describe your relationship with AI? __________.ai

A: It would have to be homeschool. Homeschool.ai.

R: Can you share a bit about your journey from your early interest in math to your career in tech at companies like Facebook and Pinterest?

A: I've always loved math and majored in it at UT. My career in tech began somewhat unexpectedly when Facebook was recruiting at UT for their new Austin office. I started as a risk analyst and eventually moved into data analysis roles. I joined Pinterest in 2012 when it was only 70 people. We had such few tools at the time, that we had to manually find and classify content in order to train models. This experience allowed me to gain hands-on analytical and technical skills.

R: What sparked your interest in math? Also you’ve shared that you wish you studied computer science. Why is that?

A: I chose math because I was good at it and found it interesting, though I didn’t have a clear career path in mind. Looking back, I wish I had chosen computer science for a stronger foundation in hard skills.

R: How was it to be an Ammi in Tech and hijabi woman in Tech, early on? Did you feel pressure or excitement about being a pioneer in such a dynamic field?

A: Initially, working in tech didn't feel like a big deal. It was intriguing, but the excitement and realization of being part of something significant came later, especially during pivotal moments like the Facebook IPO.

R: How was your transition from a tech career to full-time homeschooling?

A: I decided to make the transition when I was expecting my third child. It was a significant change, going from 60-70 hour work days to full-time at home. I embraced this change. I did not leave work with the intent to homeschool, but once it was time to figure out schooling for my older kids, that’s when the homeschooling stuff started.

R: How do you integrate AI into your homeschooling and your children's learning process?

A: I view AI as a tool to assist and enhance our learning experiences. For instance, I use it for lesson planning and finding resources for teaching. My children use AI creatively. Right now, they’re working on a project to design their own planet. They like designing their own rocks and using AI to visualize them or help with naming. It's more about sparking creativity than relying on AI for information.

R: How do you balance teaching your children about AI while maintaining skepticism and ethical usage?

A: I emphasize to my kids that they’re smarter than computers and should question if something doesn’t seem right. We use AI for creativity and problem-solving but rely on reliable sources for factual information.

R: What are your guiding principles for homeschooling?

A: We follow a natural learning philosophy, focusing on what the kids are interested in and avoiding forced learning. If they want to delve deeper into a subject, we support that with relevant activities.

R: What advice would you give to moms apprehensive about AI?

A: It’s okay to be nervous about AI, as it's a field with many unknowns. Use technology responsibly and as a tool to make learning more engaging and effective, not as a replacement for teachers.

R: What technology or practices from your tech career do you apply in your homeschooling?

A: Embracing technology and not being afraid to use AI to simplify life is crucial. AI can free up time for more quality moments with my children. At Facebook (Meta) we used to have many motivational posters like "move fast break things." "be bold" and we try to apply those to education. Education is evolving especially because of tech/AI and we can't teach our kids the same way we were taught. We have to evolve, move fast, and be bold so that our kids are capable of doing new things, not just repeating what previous generations did.  

Are you considering homeschooling? Could you use some ideas or inspiration for your ongoing homeschool curriculum?

Apple or Android?

Apple

Mac or PC?

Mac

What are your favorite, or most essential apps right now?

Definitely ChatGPT. And Notion. I use Notion a lot for homeschool planning and running to-do lists. Instead of Google Sheets or Google Docs I use Notion.

For communication, Whatsapp is still top of list.

We also use an AI app called Seek to identify plants, animals, and insects we see on hikes or in our backyarn.

Also, I started using one of the apps you shared in your newsletter: mymind.

I used to have multiple browsers open, each cluttered with different types of tabs - one for homeschooling, another for family matters, and so on.

With mymind, I can easily add things I find on my phone and view them later on my laptop. Everything is organized in one place, making it easy to manage.

Many thanks to Arwa for sharing her invaluable insights and helping us grow.

🍃 Follow @thehoneycombway for AI-powered homeschooling insights.

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Thank you for spending a few of your precious, precious minutes with us.

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Now, off to write this week’s newsletter 🙂

See y’all soon!
Ruqaiya
Ammi by day, Ammi by night