The Future of Learning
Consider the benefits of a widespread adoption of AI-based learning and tutoring akin to Khan Academy’s approach:
Can be used on demand at any time of the day and in any language.
Can process large amounts of data, complex information, and calculations light years faster than any human.
Carries around no emotional baggage that might affect consistency in teaching, is infinitely patient and eliminates virtually all feelings of contempt, shame, and judgment
Far less likely to spread misinformation and imparting personal biases within the subject material
Will likely be far cheaper than hiring traditional tutors
If we continue sucking the life, joy, and humanity out of the learning process by centering it around inane, rote memorization, by exalting the standardized test, by glorifying the prize of accreditation that is the college degree solely as a means of generating status and money,
If our present culture places all the emphasis on conformity and compliance, shaming everyone that either refuses or is unable to meet these arbitrary standards, fueling this worldwide epidemic of mental illness and suicide,
If we continue to foster our complacency towards this backwards, outdated, and blatantly counterproductive education system,
What advantage do we have left versus a computer? What reason is left to persist our faith in human pedagogy? A motivated, compassionate, erudite, patient, and wise teacher can work wonders in transforming our next generation of citizens; it is a teacher that takes advantage of the positive human aspects of pedagogy through inspiration, passion, and connection—not all the malignant aspects of contempt, shame, and judgment that are characteristic of so many interpersonal interactions within the current status quo of the education system. The only problem is that there is a stark paucity of such teachers, and certainly no systems and no culture to foster them and harness their potential.
It’s about time we learn our lesson. Will we consign one of the cornerstones of human civilization to obsolescence and admit defeat to our very own creation, or will we finally decide to stop basking in our comfort and complacency, to finally challenge the status quo, to finally begin to genuinely ask ourselves the question: “What is school for?”
