The Digital Delusion – Is Technology Making Our Children Less Capable?

For those who read the book and those who haven't yet – both are welcome.

"Our children are less cognitively capable than we were at their age."

That's the opening claim of The Digital Delusion by neuroscientist and educator Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath backed by a synthesis of over 21,000 studies. What does it mean? For most of the 20th century, IQ scores rose with each generation (the well-documented Flynn effect). Around the year 2000, that trend reversed across much of the Western world. In countries where traditional schooling remained largely intact, it didn't.

We were told that classroom technology, worth $ 400 billion, is the future of education, but Horvath argues it is not.

At the same time, Salman Khan – founder of Khan Academy – believes AI could be the great equaliser in education: a personal tutor for every child, regardless of background. Both can't be entirely right. Which parts of each argument will prove to be true?

This June, Human Future Hub brings together humans interested in education, technology, parenting, policy-making and curious minds to explore one of the most consequential and least settled debates of our time: what is digital technology actually adding to how we learn?

We'll present the key ideas from both books, so you don't need to have read them to join the conversation, but it would be great if you do.

Come with your questions, your experience, and your honest opinion.
📅 Saturday, 6 June 2026 📍 Location to be revealed 🎟

Find out more about Human Future Hub at: humanfuturehub.org