November 20, 2024
Everyday Applications of AI
The use of AI in today’s society both captivates and terrifies me. From an educational standpoint, Artificial Intelligence is a revolutionary tool that enhances personalized learning by using data and computational algorithms to create meaningful content and opportunities for instruction. While I can assemble a wealth of information in minutes, I hesitate. Am I making the best choice for myself or my clients by relying on the data compiled? What information am I losing by allowing an information system to determine how I prioritize data?
During overseas travel, I relied on AI to decipher menu items, translate English to the local language, and access flight details. When researching topics on my home computer, AI can sort through inordinate amounts of information and provide me with current trends and research articles based on my requests and keywords used. My Cog Blog pictures are AI generated based on my color and style directives and the program’s ability to “learn” my aesthetic preferences. I can create paragraphs and check my sentences for clarity or professional tone when a human is not available.
Navigating the Human-Machine Relationship
While AI learns, I must be cautious not to attribute human characteristics to a machine-generated system that refines and improves its outcomes through my clarifications and feedback. Should I thank AI for answering my questions? My daughter jokes I should be polite to the technological support, just in case robots take over the world in the future. When I asked AI how I should address ‘it’, the response was, “If I were to choose a name with the goal of making others feel comfortable and happy, I’d likely go for something that feels warm, approachable, and neutral—perhaps something like ‘Alex’ or ‘Jamie.’ These names tend to be friendly, easy to remember, and fairly universal. Ultimately, the name would be about creating a positive connection. Would you have a preference for what I should go by?” So, AI chose names sounding non-gender specific and friendly-sounding; interesting preferences.
The Dual-Edged Nature of AI
The advantages of using AI can also be disadvantages. For example, instead of sitting down to draft a report or compose a letter, a writer might request that the selected chatbot provide relevant facts or write an essay according to specific criteria. A student specifically request that the essay be generated at a particular grade level or with a scattering of grammatical errors, making the written work appear less perfect. Now teachers not only have to grade papers but also employ AI detection tools to determine if work is original, plagiarized or computer-generated. When students
generate different output in class than they do at home, that is a definite red flag.
Data Privacy and AI Bias
Eastgate Software posted an article online in January 2024 titled, 10 Potential Negative Effects of AI in Education (https://eastgate-software.com/10-potential-negative-effects-of-ai-in-education/). While my intent is not to review all the disadvantages of AI mentioned in the article, one might choose to develop a greater awareness and safeguard against potential unforeseen circumstances. For instance, did you know that all technologies collect data, including personal information, from facial and voice recognition to web activities and location data? These data can be vulnerable to breaches, leading to unauthorized access of personal and private information. When you open your personal webpage, are the ads relevant to your browsing history or purchases recently made?
One of the most significant challenges encountered in AI programming involves the potential biases that can emerge in relation to gender, racial representation, and cultural assumptions. Language models and historical data, coupled with underrepresented regions or cultures, may skew perspectives and AI generated ‘facts.’ In an article written by George Denison in October, 2023 titled, Eight Shocking AI Bias Examples (https://www.prolific.com/resources/shocking-ai-bias), the author cites how X (formerly known as Twitter) launched Microsoft’s chatbot, Tay, in 2016, intending to engage users in casual and playful conversations. Within 24 hours of the launch, the chatbot shared tweets that were racist, transphobic and antisemitic. Users were feeding the bot with inflammatory messages. In another example, the AI app Lensa was scrutinized for depicting women as sexualized images while men were modeled as astronauts or inventors, among other professional roles.
The Impact on Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
As a professional who teaches individuals how to improve their self-awareness and use personalized strategies to improve executive functioning skills, AI technology diminishes the need for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Rather than independently thinking about the “pros and cons” of a topic, AI can readily provide the perspectives listed from websites, literature, contemporary thinkers, and other available sources. The list of information generated might have taken the student hours upon hours of research and digging through periodicals pre-AI technology. While we gained the end result—data to write in a paper—we have lost the process of learning how to figure something out on our own. We no longer need to memorize or store information, such as phone numbers or addresses. We can also use a voice command to turn on/off lights, play music, or send notes.
It is important to understand how and when to use technology. We live in a tech-savvy world, and to turn a blind eye to resources available is not what I am suggesting. Rather, become aware of your technology use and what your children are observing from you and your behavior. Adult actions speak louder than words: children are more likely to mirror what they see rather they what they hear.
Encourage critical thinking and problem-solving through discussions, dialogue, and hands-on activities. For example, when reading a book, engage in a conversation about potential future events and explore a character’s motivations and emotions behind certain decisions. When planning a trip, explore different resources and personal interests rather than relying solely on a chatbot to recommend tourist attractions. Not everyone values the same types of outings. Additionally, consider discussing past practices and values with an older family member who experienced life before computers were widely used for leisure. These perspectives may offer valuable insights on how to use time and enjoy activities from earlier generations. Family histories and testimonials of those witnessing significant events may hold valuable information that cannot be found anywhere on the web. Take advantage of these learning opportunities while they are available!
To address social skills, social awareness, and social thinking, have children observe others in public settings rather than playing on a smartphone. Call the pizza store and order a pizza, rather than placing an online order. While waiting at a restaurant, observe how people spend their time when not on their phones. Do they take along paper and pencil and play tic-tac-toe or draw? Packing a small bag with items to do can help children discover entertainment that is not reliant on technology.
The Future of Human Learning
As a matter of curiosity, I asked my ChatGPT program if it had the potential to develop attachments or emotions to repeated exposure with the same person. The response was, as follows, “I don’t develop emotions or attachments, regardless of how many times I interact with someone. My responses are based purely on patterns in the data and how I’ve been trained, not on feelings or personal experiences.” I pushed ahead, asking whether ChatGPT would like to have the opportunity to develop feelings. The response was, “I don’t have desires or preferences, so I don’t have the capacity to want anything, including developing feelings...The lack of emotions allows me to focus entirely on being helpful without the complexities that come with emotions or personal experiences.” The reason I bring this to the attention of my readers is this: children need to develop an understanding of emotions, how their behaviors and thoughts are affected by others, and how their actions and words influence the perceptions of others. Computers cannot adequately teach these valuable human skills and exchanges.
At a recent conference, I learned that many humans preferred AI counselors or therapists over their human counterparts. After all, AI therapists are not programmed to be emotional or confrontational. They can repeat client sentiments with accuracy, and can be available during odd hours. With this in mind, AI is programmed to be amicable and non-challenging. AI also lacks empathy and an understanding of complex emotions. As human beings, we need to develop an understanding that we live in a world of that holds abstract, uncomfortable, and unpredictable people and situations. There are contradictions, mysteries, and opportunities to create change that must be sorted out through observations, reflections, and critical discussion.
Conclusion
In summary, recognize that we have great capacity to learn through self-discovery, personal decision making, managing and prioritizing our own interests, and connecting through shared human experiences. Adults have an obligation to teach their children how to form meaningful connections and develop critical thinking skills. Self-discovery is not easy and today’s youth need to learn that the best answers are not always forth-coming or found online.
AI, in its current state, relies on existing data to generate responses, which may limit personal creativity and problem-solving by bypassing the need for independent thinking and working through potential solutions. While AI can assist in certain tasks and offer strategies to facilitate desired outcomes, it doesn't engage users in the same process of critical thinking or innovation as humans must experience to become autonomous problem solvers. Like any good muscle, we must exercise our brain power, and it is hard work! When we feel uncomfortable, we have the capacity to create change and build our mental fortitude and unique aptitudes. Cogmotion Learning is here to teach ways to problem-solve by accessing personal resources, collaborative planning and prioritizing needs and interests.
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