As we charge towards an uncertain future, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the primary focus of the tech world. Investors are keen to identify the most promising ventures, seeking answers to questions like: What to invest in? What new approach will increase profitability? What’s the next unicorn?
In most industry sectors, the lion’s share of investment is being poured into AI. As someone who has worked in education for most of my career, I can’t help but ponder: if 80% of R&D funding is being pushed into the development of an artificial entity, what then for the development of human intelligence? Don’t get me wrong; I am not a naysayer. I value the progress made with AI and acknowledge that it will be instrumental in our future. However, as we navigate this new road, there are some considerations we need to take.
Due to the rapid pace of change and developments in the race for the next new app, product, or breakthrough, organizations are drowning in examining the “what next.” One must ask if time is being appropriately spent to examine what we should look to replace and what we shouldn’t. In what instances are we throwing out the baby with the bathwater? Where is the process more important than the product?
We know the developments in the pipeline, and in some cases already in place, will increase efficiency and ensure better quality products than those produced by teachers, students, and leaders. However, by having AI generate them, we often lose the processes that are essential in developing collaboration skills, research skills, deeper content knowledge, and more.
Microsoft UAE General Manager, Naim Yazbeck, recently likened AI to electricity, emphasizing the substantial changes we will encounter in our lives with its advent. If we consider a world pre-AI and post-AI to be similar in terms of transition and change to the world pre-electricity and post-electricity, we realize the magnitude of this shift. Our children will experience a world completely foreign from the one we knew growing up or live in today, in almost every facet.
While change is the only constant, and this change is inevitable, it is crucial for every country, ministry, and organization to examine the potential change in detail and consider what they want to hold on to. What aspects of the curriculum should be retained? What learning and skills should remain part of the expectation of human intelligence? I’m not particularly bothered that post the invention of electricity most of us have not retained the knowledge required to make candles successfully, but I believe as we head into this change, we need to consider what skills and knowledge we do not wish to lose.
One significant concern is the potential decline in essential human skills. Critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence are just a few areas where human intelligence currently excels over AI. While AI can process data at unimaginable speeds and offer solutions to complex problems, it lacks the innate ability to understand context, nuance, and human emotion fully. These are skills that have been honed through centuries of human experience and education.
Education systems worldwide are already feeling the pressure to adapt to a more AI-centric world. Schools are integrating more technology into the classroom, and curricula are being updated to include coding and data analysis. While these changes are necessary, they should not come at the expense of traditional educational values. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are still foundational skills that every child needs. Additionally, subjects like history, philosophy, and the arts play a crucial role in developing well-rounded individuals who can think critically and appreciate the human experience.
If we don’t pump the brakes and examine each step of the way, if we land in a world with an overreliance on AI, that could lead to a diminished capacity for problem-solving. When students or leaders rely too heavily on AI to provide answers, we miss out on the critical thinking process involved in arriving at those answers. If we are not mindful, this could result in a generation of individuals who can operate advanced technologies but lack any understanding of the principles behind them.
Additionally, ethical considerations must be addressed as AI continues to develop. Issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the transparency of AI decision-making processes are critical areas that require careful oversight. Ensuring that AI is developed and deployed responsibly will be essential to harnessing its benefits while mitigating its risks.
The development of AI is undoubtedly exciting and holds immense potential benefits, however, it is crucial that we do not lose sight of the importance of human intelligence. Balancing the advancement of AI with the nurturing of human skills and knowledge is essential for creating a future where technology enhances rather than diminishes our lives. As we charge towards this uncertain future, let us invest not only in artificial intelligence but also in the limitless potential of human intelligence.
-Glen Radojkovich
