Is artificial intelligence the best education tool since the calculator, or is it a crutch making people lazy? AI is revolutionizing the world as it has become wildly popular and utilized everywhere, but opinions vary on whether it’s a tool or a liability undermining critical thinking.
The use of AI has increased exponentially over the last decade. A newer development by all the big technology companies has been the regular usage of AI. Apple, Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are all promoting AI in one way or another, and with these monster companies investing billions in something, the public will follow. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 55 percent of Americans use AI daily, but is this usage good?
When AI is used properly, like a calculator, it can remove tedious busy work or organize the wealth of information that the internet possesses. AI can personalize information to cater to the individual. Efficiency is the main benefit of AI, tasks are automated and bridge information to the user. With this access to information, decisions can be made faster with more logical reasons given quicker access to information.
AI may pamper individuals by dulling their ability to think critically. Abusing AI can inhibit learning by removing an individual’s cognitive process to solve problems. Students no longer have to put forth the effort to understand and succeed in many situations because AI is so accessible. If AI use runs rampant in the developmental schooling stages, how will it affect individuals in their professional careers?
Cal Klinzing, a student at Ohio Wesleyan, acknowledges the positives and negatives of AI.
"AI can be good and bad... it can definitely help give people ideas but at the same time people can abuse it and it can become a problem. AI isn't going anywhere, though, so people need to learn how to use it properly."
As AI proceeds to become more mainstream, he stressed the value of understanding the real benefits and disadvantages of AI and when to use it.
Dr Nancy Comorau, a professor at Ohio Wesleyan expressed concerns about AI use in the classroom.
"I've had to turn in an alarming amount of students for academic dishonesty because they have been using AI. It's really easy to notice and it's bad. Most of the time AI is wrong and just makes things up. It's dangerous to educational careers.”
Since AI is so prevalent, she expressed the need for academic integrity and caution against a reliance on AI.
Landon Turnbull, a student at Ohio Wesleyan who also teaches fifth grade at Conger Elementary School expressed his doubts about any potential role for artificial intelligence in early learning.
"AI is blocked on the school computers at our elementary... and I don't think it would benefit elementary school students, even if they learned about it. They would rely on it way too much and not actually learn anything."
Turnbull’s view illuminates the concerns of teachers that young students will become reliant on AI, hindering their development in these critical stages.
As AI continues its rapid expansion, it is very important to weigh the good and bad. There is a very thin line between using AI as a tool and stunting learning development. For the good of the youth, It is dire that a balance be found as the debate continues.
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