Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a big part of our lives. From virtual assistants to learning tools, AI is changing how we use technology and get information. But there’s an important question: Will AI help us think more than just know things? This is especially important for young people like you who are in the middle of getting an education. Let’s look at how we can use AI responsibly, think critically, and become better learners and thinkers.
Using AI Responsibly
First, it’s important to use AI tools carefully. AI can be very helpful in school and everyday life, but we need to use it wisely. It can hurt our learning if we rely too much on AI without understanding the basics. For example, if you use an AI tool to do your homework without trying to understand the material, you might not learn anything. That might seem harmless now, but in a future where AI will increasingly remember things for us, taking these kinds of shortcuts can be very damaging to your future. Instead, use AI to help you understand difficult concepts and find information. This way, AI becomes a tool that supports your thinking rather than doing the thinking for you.
Thinking Critically
AI can give us a lot of information quickly, but we need to think critically about it. This means we should always question AI’s information and not just accept it as true. Thinking critically helps us figure out if the information is correct and useful. For example, if an AI tool gives you an answer, ask it to justify the answer and continue asking deeper questions. Use the Socratic method, which means to keep asking questions to explore the underlying beliefs that shape the tool’s answers. AI is often presented as neutral, having no opinion, but it is created by humans who build their beliefs and opinions into how the AI tool thinks. This way, you learn to evaluate AI outputs well and use them wisely.
Training AI Tools
Another important thing to remember is that you can train AI tools to be more helpful. This means asking good questions and giving feedback to help it learn how to support you best. For example, if you ask an AI tool a question and it gives you a confusing answer, you can ask it to explain in a different way. You can also challenge it, asking it to look at the topic from a different point of view. By interacting with AI in a thoughtful way, you can make it a better tool for learning and solving problems. This process helps you understand how AI works and how to get the best out of it.
AI's Potential in Education
One important impact of the widespread availability of AI is how it can change how we learn by making education more about learning to think instead of learning to remember. With AI, we can explore new ways to solve problems and understand things better. Instead of just memorizing facts, we can use AI to help us ask questions and find different solutions. This trains us become better thinkers and more curious learners. This can also make learning more fun by showing us interesting and creative ways to understand new topics.
Empowerment Through AI
So, will AI help us think more? Yes! It’s important to see how AI can empower us and improve society. Bad actors may be using AI purely for their own benefit or to harm others, but that doesn’t mean that AI itself is “the enemy.” AI can help us counteract negative uses and be used for good. It can also support us learn to focus more on thinking rather than just knowing facts. We can become better learners and thinkers by using AI responsibly, thinking critically, and embracing its potential for good. It’s important to be curious and careful with AI, recognizing its benefits while being aware of its limits. AI can be a powerful tool for personal and societal growth, but only if we use it wisely and thoughtfully.
List of Data Girl and Friends materials about some of the topics covered:
- Educational workbook, What is AI?
- Educational workbook, Algorithm Insights Adventure
- Educational video, What does AI understand?
The topics covered in this article are discussed in the Digital Dominoes episode 4: Will AI Lead Us to Prioritize Thinking Over Knowing?
Find more learning materials here:
- For older children: Discovery Squad
- For younger teens: Digital Navigators