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I recently had a conversation with a colleague about artificial intelligence (AI), specifically its use in classroom settings. We both acknowledged very different perspectives on it, particularly from the point of view of students, essentially, using it to write their essays for them. Had it not been for a few experiences I had recent to that conversation, I might have had a very different view.

Historically, I’ve always had a cynical perspective on AI. I know. Not very consistent with critical thinking (i.e., scepticism is good, cynicism is bad). Of course, I blame it on being of that generation that saw "T2: Judgment Day" way too many times. You know, when SkyNet takes over, we’re going to say, "I told you so!" However, as reality sets in, my primary concerns rested less on robotic Arnies trying to wipe us all out and more so on the potential of AI dumbing down younger cohorts and the generations that follow. Of course, that’s not to say that there aren’t other concerns, but they’re not the point of this piece.

Nevertheless, that cynicism/scepticism was my primary reaction to AI until a friend of mine asked me, knowing my dislike for just "Googling things" as a default, whether I ever use AI as an alternative. No, typically, I don’t—well, I didn’t anyway. Let’s call it moral opposition. Maybe even educated moral opposition. If anything was worth looking up online—other than what year Jimmy Stewart appeared in that film about going to Washington—it was probably worth thinking about it "properly" and not depending on an AI. Sure, I would use sources on the internet that I knew to be credible, but nothing other than me would do the thinking.

My........

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