Artificial intelligence is changing the way we learn. And it reveals how outdated the education system is.
That's according to academic and economist Tyler Cowen, an influential commentator and professor at George Mason University.
In a conversation Wednesday with podcaster Azeem Azhar about the rise of AI tools like ChatGpt, Cowen said schools and universities are not ready for a world where students have almost infinite and in demand knowledge.
“It means accepting that homework is outdated,” Cowen said. “A simple way to grade people like computer-rated exams – they're outdated.”
As students turn increasingly to AI to write essays, produce study guides, and explain complex topics, many educators say they are more focused on catching con artists than rethinking how to learn first.
“There are a lot of manual winding about not looking at 'how to stop people from cheating' and 'what to do to teach and test',” he said.
For Cowen, the real challenge is not academic injustice. It is institutional inertia. Schools and universities struggle to separate themselves from their test scores and grades. He argues that he has become the least relevant marker of learning in the age of generative AI.
“The whole system is set to incentives Get good grades. And that's just a skill that's going to be outdated,” he said.
Cowen called for a fundamental change in the way education is delivered. It implies memorization and standardized testing that emphasize critical thinking and adaptability, as well as a transition to mentorship-based learning.
“Teacher teachers need to be similar to mentors. It's rewarding, but very time-consuming. That's not something you can do with formula,” he said.
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However, Cowen is not optimistic about the institution that will soon make that change.
“People, the ability to rebuild procedures — it really seems like we're pretty frozen,” he said. “I can't see it They are changing at any level. ”
Cowen's warning comes as a Google battle for Openai and Google's domination in the field of AI education.
OpenAI launched ChatGPT learning mode on Tuesday. This is designed to convert chatbots from “answer machine” to personalized tutors, helping students with their learning.
This tool avoids giving direct answers and instead encourages students to clarify their thoughts. This is a move aimed at tackling injustice stories.
Google has deployed Gemini for Education, a set of tools that include AI-generated quizzes, lesson plans, and videos built into searches.
Both companies are betting that those who film classrooms today will own workplaces tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the teacher feels nervous. Some employ AI to create lesson plans and adjust materials, while others have completely overhauled their assessment models to make cheating more difficult and learning more meaningful.
