The consequences of not banning AI in schools

I received an overwhelming amount of response in the form of feedback via social media networks, instant messages (WhatsApp) and even direct calls on last week’s article on banning AI in schools.

I am truly grateful for the engagement that I received from the readers because this shows the importance as well as the alertness that the society has in store for the subject. Some shared their strong agreement and warned that unchecked AI could surely affect our children (the students) in schools.

This includes but is not limited to their thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, to name a few. Others, however, have expressed concern that banning AI in schools might limit their technological literacy, suggesting instead that schools should focus on teaching responsible and ethical use.

My personal feedback that I continue to stand by is putting a framework and policy in place on the usage of AI in schools. This will help ensure AI is used correctly, potentially making it a powerful tool for personalised training. The situation today, however, is that there is not readily a policy and framework in place, and hence, the impact is inevitable. Let me focus this week on the consequences of not banning AI in schools.

First, the students' critical thinking skills will be impacted. Why? The student simply uses a generative AI app (like ChatGPT) by asking a question (in the form of a prompt), and the answer arrives instantly (merely in seconds). The student doesn’t struggle nor work hard but simply copies the answer/output and presents AI’s work (not theirs). In the pre-AI era, a student would be required to critically think by searching and analysing different possibilities before finally presenting and solving a problem/question.

Second, generative AI will be like a drug (an addiction) for the students. Without it, students will not be able to work on any assignment/problem due to being dependent on AI. Imagine tomorrow there is no connectivity and/or a plug is pulled off from ChatGPT and the like apps. Trust me, there will be zombies walking around the schools.

Third, with dependency and addiction comes also a form of laziness. Students will see no reason to learn or work if AI can do everything for them. The mental resilience that the pre-generative AI era lived in will be shattered, trust me.

Last but not least, originality (in terms of thoughts and creativity) will be lost. Outputs of an AI app are generated based on patterns in and from existing data. Students that depend on AI will ultimately lose the ability to create original content. We will eventually find the same generic work submitted by everyone, for they all rely on the same source, the AI machine.

To conclude my article this week, I would like to emphasise that if this matter is not taken seriously, then the majority of the students (and no thanks to the continuous advancement of AI) will graduate without ever having written an essay, solved a math problem on their own, or struggled through a difficult assignment.

Students will not only not have the skills that are required to join the workforce but also not have the basic knowledge to operate as well. Mark my words, quality education built on hard work will be erased in schools gradually.

Diplomas and degrees will lose credibility, as no one can be certain whether the work was produced by the student or by a machine. We will create a new generation of graduates that knows where and how to find information but cannot function without constant access to AI.

Until we catch up again next week, stay positive and upbeat, and never be too reliant on AI, as it may replace or break you too.