Is modern technology making us wiser or dumber?
A recent study titled “Is it Harmful or Helpful? Examining the Causes and Consequences of Generative AI Usage Among University Students” has revealed fascinating insights into the utilization of AI among students.
The study, which involved 494 university students, revealed compelling findings regarding the use of AI. Students who utilized ChatGPT were found to be more prone to procrastination and memory loss.
The study’s conclusion highlighted the potential dangers of relying too heavily on AI to handle daily tasks.
This over-reliance may lead to increased laziness as individuals become more dependent on technology and less willing to exert effort.
This shift in behaviour can result in a decline in critical thinking skills, physical activity and self-reliance. Will AI make us lazy or wiser?
The days of utilizing the arithmetic log table to solve mathematical problems and having students stay up late doing research are long gone. Can we compare the excellence of yesteryears’ students to today?
Even if AI makes work more convenient and efficient, there are downsides. It is vital to consider the negative consequences of relying heavily on AI and to strive for a balance between technological advancement and the preservation of human ability.
Automation of repetitive tasks enables people to focus on more creative pursuits requiring critical thinking skills, which is one of the undeniable potential benefits of human-machine collaboration.
The shift from routine work to more highly-valued tasks increases output and increases employee happiness. Automation driven by AI enhances the workforce through reduced physical strain, increased productivity, cost savings, accuracy improvement, and safety improvement.
AI has automated a number of chores, freeing up time and resources that can be used for more strategic and creative projects. When used improperly, AI may stifle innovation and creativity in the workplace.
The truth is that AI does not have the same creative capacity as humans. AI lacks human emotion and understanding of context.
As a result, it doesn’t have what most of us would refer to as “common sense.” Over reliance on technology can lead to addiction, where individuals find themselves constantly checking their devices or social media platforms. This can have detrimental effects on our health and overall well-being.
We run the risk of becoming sedentary and experiencing a decline in problem-solving skills. If you watch football on TV, you will notice the panache and ‘mundu khu mundu’ tactics lacking in the game, all in the fear of VR! An AI-powered camera assistant.
AI may impair our intuition. The more we rely on AI to make decisions, the less we use our brains, eventually leading to a loss in our ability to think critically. It is critical to create a balance between using
AI’s benefits and preserving our cognitive capacities via autonomous thinking and decision-making. Overreliance on AI has the potential to stifle personal growth and development.
Achieving equilibrium between technological advancement and human input is essential. This equilibrium is necessary for a future in which humans and tech can work together. It’s imperative to welcome AI’s advantages while being conscious of its potential impacts on ethical dilemmas and work-life balance.
Risk-taking and upskilling initiatives must be a top priority in education reform if workers are to have skills that operate in tandem with AI rather than against it.
Striking a balance between using AI to make our lives easier and doing worthwhile things that give us a sense of direction is essential.
Setting limits on our use of AI and making time for engaging in challenging and inspiring activities can help us achieve this. Instead of focusing only on task automation, we should encourage the development of AI that stimulates creativity and problem-solving skills. By doing this, we can guarantee that AI improves and enriches our lives.
— The writer is an Innovations Evangelist and a PhD candidate
—[email protected]
