I was intrigued by the article about Professor Christian Rojas where UMass students who used AI were more engaged with their classwork [“Use of AI in the classroom doesn’t lead to higher grades, UMass study says” Recorder, Nov. 7]. This is refreshing given the negative impacts recently being highlighted about AI. I will admit to being somewhat of a skeptic but perhaps there are ways that it can be harnessed for our benefit. However, I must disagree with his idea of making students more comfortable with AI.
Researchers from MIT have discovered the prevalence of cognitive debt which is a term that describes how AI changes the brain and reduces novel thinking, creativity, memory and critical thinking. Increased usage of AI is not only bad for creativity and intelligence but also entices one to allow the technology to do more and more which, among other things, comes with a hefty environmental cost.
With its instant answers and suggestions, AI also reduces challenge and striving, integral parts of learning and healthy development. We also must remain wary of the addictive nature of AI and the growing incidences of young people forming intimate friendships and romantic partnerships with AI bots. Let’s keep in mind too that this technology is controlled by for-profit corporations who are doing their best to push, prod, manipulate and trick us into becoming dependent on AI (be very careful which icon you click on).
This is a slippery slope and I’m not comfortable with some future day of requiring AI to deal with an AI-related issue. There are some parallels with cell phones which once were optional but now seem to be mandatory being nearly impossible to do almost anything online without providing a cell phone number. Will AI trap us like that too?
Embracing and welcoming this technology is not a good idea; rather, boundaries and safeguards should be our mantra. Thank you to Mr. Rojas for finding a creative, healthy usage of AI and a willingness to share this information.
Rick McNeil
Florence