Position: Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Irvine
Overview of Concern
Observation: Over half of students in a general education course titled Contemporary Moral Problems: The Value of Human Life used artificial intelligence (A.I.) tools inappropriately for their take-home exams, contradicting an explicit policy against such practices.
Broader Issue: A nationwide trend of A.I. cheating in educational institutions is emerging, raising concerns about students' cognitive abilities.
Impact on Cognitive Abilities
Quote from a Colleague: A colleague's remark characterized the problem as leading students to become “subcognitive.”
Implications of A.I. Use:
Students might lose core academic skills and cognitive fluency.
Deprivation of linguistic mastery hampers students' ability to understand and engage with the world.
Cognitive Deficiency: Students may lose essential opportunities for thinking and navigating realities effectively.
Historical Context of Technology and Cognitive Competence
Historical Reference: Plato's warning about the risks of writing on memory and cognitive skills, highlighting that written communication, despite its risks, has been crucial for philosophical discourse over millennia.
Question Raised: "Are the gifts of technology worth the cognitive cost?"
Critics' Views: Critics highlight threats to intellectual gifts like attention, individuality, unique expression, critical thinking, and writing capabilities.
Foundation of Human Thought and Language Acquisition
Critical Claim: Developing linguistic abilities is fundamental for thinking, arguing that:
Language is not merely a skill; it encapsulates how humans interact with the world.
Acquisition of Language: Humans are not innately equipped with language; it is acquired through immersive interactions and practice with others.
Historical Significance: For centuries, language development involved deep engagement with human writing within advanced societies.
The Perils of Seemingly Innocent A.I. Functions
Distinction in A.I. Use: There is a distinction between outright cheating (e.g., drafting essays) and using A.I. for tasks like summarization, which may seem harmless.
**Consequences of Relying on A.I. Summaries: **
Reliance on A.I. summary compromises the student's ability to critically analyze arguments and understand nuanced discussions.
This lack of cognitive engagement leads to a diminished capacity to interpret complex documents and arguments.
Broader Implications: A lack of cognitive engagement could lead society into a state of “cognitive degradation” affecting self-governance, essential for participation in democracy and societal structuring.
Ongoing Debate in Educational Spaces
Arguments from Educators: Some educators suggest that the integration of A.I. into education is unavoidable, pointing to a shift in literacy perceptions termed by proponents like D. Graham Burnett as essential.
Vanishing Literacy Proposal: Burnett argues for a move away from traditional literary engagement, proposing activities such as:
Singing texts,
Memorizing excerpts,
Transforming texts into visual forms for display.
Critique of Burnett's View: Berg argues against this infantilization of education, underlying that many students demonstrate a desire and capability to engage with extensive texts.
Reaffirming the Role of Higher Education
Objective of Education: Higher education's mission is to nurture cognitively mature individuals by fostering independent reading, thinking, and writing skills.
Actionable Solutions: Suggestions for educators include:
Creating technology-free environments for enhanced focus and engagement.
Engaging students in fostering their intrinsic motivation towards learning without the aid of A.I.
Motivation Reminder: Many students still possess the desire for deep academic engagement, and it is up to educators to harness this willingness.
Conclusion
Call to Educators: The final sentiment emphasizes the call for educators to remain vigilant and proactive in fostering genuine linguistic and cognitive abilities in students amidst the challenges posed by A.I.