Impact of AI on Learning

Photo Credit: Igor Omilaev

 I know AI is a part of my everyday life, but honestly, it does not feel like it. I often do not notice when apps automatically use AI, and I typically do not use things like ChatGPT or other systems like that. During the readings this week, I was honestly not surprised by the effect of AI on our brains or our learning. Many “findings that led to the headlines showed lower levels of neural connectivity among subjects using ChatGPT than among those using only their brains.” I can see this a lot in my everyday life around my friends and fellow students. Many times, we use ChatGPT for quick-fix answers, or often a starting point for assignments. I know when I have used it, I often ask questions I don’t know the answer to and take whatever it gives me. I don’t learn the material, and this definitely does not help me…But at least for me, that’s sometimes what I view AI as. A tool to give me answers quickly when I don’t feel like taking the time to go find it on Google or in a book. But, I sometimes fear this may impact my education, or that of students around me, because I think sometimes we abuse AI when, actually, it could be a very helpful tool. AI is fundamentally different from those other forms of technology, though, because it can do so many things for us, including the traditional kinds of academic work expected of students. If we, as students, overuse AI and rely on it for each assignment, what does that mean when we go out into the real world? If we work in a job that does not need AI or use any system that allows for it to help us? Will that cause a bigger struggle when we need to apply what we actually learned? These are just some fears I have if we overuse this tool. However, I do find that AI can have a positive future if we use it right! I think it is similar to Google in a way. At first, I am sure people were nervous about the effect of using a search engine rather than actually having to go find information through readings, but the Library of Medicine found that internet searching may engage a greater extent of neural circuitry not activated while reading text pages. The people with prior knowledge of technology were able to successfully use this tool and in a beneficial way! This makes me believe that if we give society and students, especially, the proper knowledge of using AI effectively, we will be able to thrive and grow further in our learning, not allowing ourselves to be hindered unintentionally! If AI is an added tool rather than our quick fix answer, maybe students, even myself can learn from it!. I see a lot on social media about AI tools that help create study guides and allow students to be more successful, or in many of my classes, my teachers encourage us to use it as a starting point for writing assignments when we are stuck! These academic uses I find very beneficial! It is when we overuse it that it becomes detrimental to us, but in the end, I think AI can bring a positive impact to learning when used right!