Chapter 1: The AI Debate in Education

Recently, I engaged in a discussion with a high school English teacher regarding the latest advancements in AI, specifically ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI. This technology has sparked significant philosophical discussions, particularly among educators in the English field. It's no longer a matter of whether students in high school and college are utilizing AI; the real question is how deeply they depend on it for their academic work.

Teachers express valid concerns about the implications for future generations' ability to think independently and create original content. One teacher shared their apprehension: "I'm afraid these students will become overly dependent on this technology and lose their critical thinking skills."

At first glance, this concern seems quite reasonable. Educators will need to adapt their teaching methods—perhaps through more oral examinations or in-class handwritten assignments. If the goal is to eliminate AI from education entirely, there are viable approaches to achieve that.

This leads to the conclusion that "AI might hinder our capacity for independent thought, making us less intelligent."

However, upon further reflection, I would argue that we should actively incorporate AI into the educational system. The reality is that the integration of AI is unavoidable, and those who learn to collaborate with it will be better prepared for the future than those who reject the technology altogether.

Visionaries like Yuval Noah Harari and Elon Musk suggest that humanity should merge with AI on a physical level, potentially creating a new subset of humans. While I won't delve into the ethics of such an idea here, Musk has previously indicated that our constant connection to our smartphones has already transformed us into a type of "cyborg." I believe this immediate integration with AI will significantly influence future generations. Much like with smartphones, the symbiotic relationship with AI will enable younger individuals to become more technologically adept than previous generations. While older generations might be capable of using smartphones, they will never experience the seamless interaction with AI that children growing up with it will have. Consequently, educational institutions that embrace this technology now will offer their students a greater advantage than those who resist it.

Section 1.1: The Spell Check Analogy

Having attended elementary school in the early 2000s, I recall the debates surrounding spell check. Many argued that its availability would render spelling lessons unnecessary. Nonetheless, despite concerns that computers might diminish our cognitive abilities, schools mandated access to computer labs where students learned to use Microsoft Office and develop typing skills. Looking back, had schools opted to restrict computer access due to fears of declining intelligence, it would have severely hindered students' futures. Learning to navigate computers early on proved crucial for my generation. Admittedly, many of us now struggle with spelling independently, myself included. However, with spell check and autocorrect at my disposal, I question the necessity of mastering spelling without assistance. I feel similarly about AI today. Will crafting memos, essays, and emails without AI support be essential two decades from now? I have my doubts.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Benefits of Learning Code

Chapter 2: The Future of Learning with AI

This content should help educators and students recognize the importance of integrating AI into academic settings, fostering a generation that is not only technologically proficient but also capable of critical thinking and innovation.