The double-edged sword of AI in education

Artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionize education as profoundly as the internet has already revolutionized our lives. However, our experience with commercial internet platforms gives us pause. Like the commercialization of the internet, the AI consumerization trend, driven by massive investments across sectors, prioritizes profit over societal and educational benefits. We must advocate for a thoughtful, education-centric approach to AI development that enhances, rather than replaces, human intelligence and recognises the value of effort in learning. Some of the potential risks:

1. Overestimating AI’s intelligence
2. Cognitive atrophy through overreliance
3. The illusion of effortless wisdom

To address these risks, it is critical that the education community engages more actively in conversations about AI. As we navigate the integration of AI in education, we must continually ask ourselves: Does this AI system genuinely enhance human intelligence and support deep, meaningful learning? If not, how can we redesign it to do so?

[Rose Luckin is a Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow – Global Economy and Development, Center for Universal Education]