The fear of losing one's humanity in the age of AI: a Dartmouth professor's perspective.
In a recent interview, Scott Anthony, a professor at Dartmouth College and a former consultant, shared his insights on the prevailing mood among Gen Z students regarding artificial intelligence. Surprisingly, it's not just excitement but a deep-rooted fear that dominates their mindset.
"What surprises me is the level of fear our students have when it comes to AI. It's not just about academic integrity; it's a deeper anxiety. While some students are eager to embrace this new technology, a significant portion approaches it with hesitation and trepidation. They are genuinely scared," Anthony explained.
This fear, according to Anthony, stems from a concern that excessive reliance on AI might lead to a loss of humanity. It's a sentiment that contrasts with the enthusiasm shown by many of his long-serving academic colleagues, who eagerly embrace new tools.
"History teaches us that in the midst of significant change, things can be messy. It's only in hindsight that patterns become clear. Right now, we're in the thick of it, and there's a lot of noise," Anthony said, reflecting on his experiences teaching a course on disruption during a time when education itself is being disrupted.
The fear of losing one's critical thinking skills and becoming dependent on AI is a valid concern. A study from MIT, titled 'Your Brain on ChatGPT,' suggests that using AI tools may lead to a decrease in cognitive activity. This study, widely covered in the media, supports the students' fears that AI could potentially harm humanity.
However, not everyone agrees with this interpretation. Vitomir Kovanovic and Rebecca Marrone from the University of South Australia argue that the MIT study's findings are more nuanced. They explain that the 'brain-only' group showed a familiarization effect, improving with each attempt, while the AI control group only performed the task once, thus not truly showcasing the potential impact of AI on cognitive abilities.
Anthony, who has been teaching a class on leading disruptive change, takes a practical approach to AI assessments. He wants to see the 'guts' of the work, the process, and the learning that goes into it. He believes that elegant outputs don't always equate to learning, and sometimes, it's the rough outputs that reveal the true extent of a student's understanding.
When asked about the example of Stanford professor Jure Leskovec, who switched to blue-book exams to combat AI, Anthony respects the decision but doesn't plan to follow suit just yet. He acknowledges that some changes are irreversible, such as the improvement in writing quality, but he also warns about the potential dangers of becoming too reliant on AI.
Anthony draws inspiration from the likes of Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Child to emphasize the importance of hard work and wisdom in managing AI effectively. Seinfeld's approach to comedy, as explained by Anthony, is a reminder that the 'hard way' is often the right way. Julia Child's journey, filled with failures and perseverance, serves as a reminder that success is not always a straight line.
"It's a reminder that there is no straight line to success. Julia Child's example shows that disruption is not about being a superhero; it's about ordinary people following certain behaviors and showing curiosity."
As we navigate the AI revolution, it's crucial to separate people from technology when assessing learning. AI regurgitation may have its uses, but it's useless when it comes to truly understanding whether people have learned something.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think AI poses a threat to humanity, or is it a tool that can enhance our capabilities? The floor is open for discussion.
