Dr. Roohi Jan
“The greatest danger of artificial intelligence is not that machines will think like humans, but that humans may stop thinking for themselves”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most potent technologies of the modern era. Once a concept reserved for science fiction, AI is now in classrooms, homes and workplaces. AI is rapidly changing how students study, gather information, and complete academic tasks. Students can get instant explanations, customized educational support, and help with research and writing using AI powered tools. These tools can be used by students to learn difficult concepts, practice questions, learn new languages and get feedback on their work. AI driven learning platforms also have the ability to tailor lessons to the pace and level of understanding of individual learners.
Teachers are also discovering new ways to use AI in education. It can help them to prepare lesson plans, generate practice questions, organize educational material and give ideas for classroom activities. Used correctly, this technology can save time, allowing teachers to dedicate more time to interacting with students and meeting their individual needs. The benefits are encouraging, but the increasing use of AI has also created a range of challenges. One of the biggest problems is student dependence on technology. Learners who ask AI to do their homework or assignments for them may miss out on opportunities to develop fundamental abilities such as critical thinking, creativity, research and problem solving. Education is not only about finding the right answer but understanding how and why an answer is achieved. Another issue is the accuracy of AI generated data.
“AI’s growing role in education requires responsible, ethical use alongside critical thinking. Rather than choosing between AI and traditional learning, effective education integrates technology to support learning while keeping human curiosity, creativity, judgment, and effort at its core.”
Sometimes artificial intelligence systems give wrong, incomplete or misleading answers. This thus implies that students should not take any answers for granted without verifying them with reliable sources. Learning to verify information is a crucial skill in today’s digital world. Another concern is academic integrity. Submitting AI generated work as their own defeats the purpose of education. It robs students of an opportunity to hone their skills. Schools and colleges are therefore more and more taking to the responsible and ethical use of AI rather than simply banning the technology.Experts and educators emphasise that AI should be treated as a learning assistant, not a replacement for teachers or students own efforts. Students can use it to explain a difficult topic, generate ideas or practise a skill, but they should continue to read, think, question and create independently.
The impact of AI on education will continue to grow as the technology develops. Its success in the classroom will depend not only on what AI can do, but also on how responsibly people use it. With proper guidance, critical thinking and ethical awareness, students can benefit from AI while preserving the human qualities that education seeks to develop. As classrooms move into an ever more digital future, the real goal should be about not picking technology or traditional learning.The focus should rather be on finding a balanced approach in which technology supports learning, while human curiosity, creativity, judgment and hard work are kept at the heart of education.
(The author is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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