Higher education is at a crossroads as institutions across the country grapple with how to approach artificial intelligence in the classroom. Harvard University Senior Research Fellow Christopher Dede says they are focusing on the wrong problem, and are not adequately preparing students to face a world in which AI is ubiquitous.

The Problem with Current Education Systems

Dede argues that the current education system is geared towards teaching reckoning, or calculative prediction, rather than judgment. He believes that this approach is preparing students to lose to AI, rather than complementing it. Dede suggests that institutions should focus on teaching skills that complement AI, such as active, collaborative, and project-based learning, as well as immersive simulations.

Dede also notes that AI can be used to assess students’ judgment skills, such as in a negotiations course where students can practice and apply their skills in a simulated environment. He believes that this approach can help students develop the skills they need to succeed in a world where AI is increasingly prevalent.

The Need for a New Approach

Dede argues that the focus needs to be on “doing better things” rather than simply “doing things better.” He believes that institutions should use AI to develop students’ judgment skills, rather than just using it to automate traditional teaching methods. Dede also notes that students need to learn how to use AI without becoming overly dependent on it, and that restricting the technology in the classroom is not the answer.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.