When my daughter, who is currently in elementary school, first learned about ChatGPT, she asked me a thought-provoking question: since AI has become so powerful recently, what’s the point of studying in school? It made me pause and ponder, especially considering how AI can provide knowledge and reasoning (hopefully even more reliable in the near future). Why should students memorize literature, historical events, mathematical formulas, physical theories, or chemical equations? What’s the point of practicing new intellectual skills, especially fundamental ones?
As AI has become more powerful, its implications on our work and education have been brought up more and more. AI systems like ChatGPT have become indispensable tools for many tasks, and they’ve sparked fascinating conversations about how we humans relate to AI and what the future of learning looks like.
AI can be a powerful tool, but it’s not a magic solution. As I’ve used ChatGPT for various tasks like learning introductory knowledge in new fields, reminding me of terminal commands, generating stories, translating, writing articles, generating video scripts, writing Python scripts, and even building apps, I’ve realized that it’s crucial to understand the value of human knowledge and skills in working effectively with AI tools. To make the most of AI’s capabilities, there are three key points to keep in mind:
1. AI doesn’t have intentions or desires.
Although ChatGPT can act as a knowledgeable and efficient assistant, it can’t replace our ability to want or have intentions. AI systems don’t have the capacity to come up with great ideas automatically unless you ask them, and they’re just waiting there until you interact with them.
Knowing what to do and having a clear vision are where we humans come into play. AI might be powerful, but it can’t replace our ability to dream, innovate, and set goals. Our intentions and desires guide us in determining what we want to achieve, and then we can use AI tools to help us reach those goals.
2. AI requires human knowledge of what is DOABLE, with or without AI.
With ChatGPT’s help, I’ve done things that I wasn’t good at or even couldn’t do by myself before. However, at least I knew those tasks could be done because I’d seen others accomplish them. After all, you can’t begin something if you can’t imagine it, not even with the help of ChatGPT. Just like the examples I shared earlier, I use AI to help me produce videos, set up and configure a Homelab, and write Python scripts because I know these tasks can be done, even without AI assistance. It’s just more convenient and efficient with the help of AI. So our role in this regard is to identify tasks that can be done with AI assistance.
3. AI requires guidance on how to proceed.
As an assistant, ChatGPT needs specific inputs or prompts to know what you want it to do, just like a human assistant would. But to give proper prompts, you need to know the procedure it takes to reach your target and break down complex tasks into smaller, actionable steps. This allows us to guide the AI system effectively, ensuring that it delivers the output we need. For instance, when I build an app with the assistance of ChatGPT, I first need to think through the entire product and break down the requirements into actionable steps for ChatGPT to provide valuable and efficient output.
Therefore, our ability to provide meaning, purpose, and direction is what sets us apart from AI tools. We can harness AI’s power to accomplish tasks more efficiently, but we remain the driving force behind the creative process, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Understanding these helps us define our relationship with AI and use it most effectively.
I didn’t have an answer when my daughter asked me what’s the point of studying in the age of AI. My immediate response then was: maybe pursuing knowledge and practicing skills will become a hobby and lifestyle, something like fitness.
Although that answer still holds now, here’s what I’ve come to believe to be our focus of future education after interacting with AI for some time now:
1. Building a strong foundation.
A solid foundation in various subjects enables us to imagine the possibilities and push the boundaries of what AI can do. Even though AI can provide us with information, we need a basic understanding of different fields to make the most of AI’s potential.
2. Developing the ability to think critically and creatively.
Education is not just about memorizing facts and figures. It’s about developing the ability to think critically, analyze situations, and solve problems. These skills are essential for working effectively with AI tools, as they enable us to identify tasks that can be delegated to AI and guide AI systems to achieve desired outcomes.
3. Cultivating curiosity and innovation.
Education plays a crucial role in nurturing curiosity and the spirit of innovation. By constantly learning and exploring, we can come up with new ideas and better ways of doing things, which ultimately helps us harness the power of AI more effectively.
The rise of AI has undoubtedly changed the way we work and learn. However, human knowledge, skills, and creativity remain essential in the AI-driven world. We must continue to value education, as it helps us develop critical thinking skills, build a strong foundation, and cultivate curiosity and innovation. While AI can make our lives easier and more efficient, it’s our unique human abilities that will continue to drive progress and shape the future.