Stanford literature professor Lea Pao is taking a bold step. She asks her students to study real-world artwork, memorize poems, and join recitation contests. Her aim is clear: keep students from depending on artificial intelligence and push them toward hands-on learning. Pao openly admits there is no such thing as an “AI-proof” method. Still, she hopes her class will show there are alternatives.
Challenges in Hands-On Learning
However, her approach is not foolproof. Recently, Pao sent her class to a museum. She instructed them to spend ten minutes observing an artwork and then write a reflection. One student turned in a reflection that was “too perfect, without saying anything.” Pao later discovered the student tried to visit the museum on a Monday. However, when it was closed, he then got distracted by AI.
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Now, educators like Pao must adapt. AI is disrupting traditional methods of reading, writing, and learning. This is leading to significant changes in how educators approach teaching and assessment. Such as incorporating AI tools into lesson plans and re-evaluating assessment criteria to better align with new learning paradigms. Many academics in both hard and social sciences see AI as a productivity booster and a driver for new research. Some hope AI will help cure cancer or speed up climate change solutions. Meanwhile, others express concerns about its potential to undermine critical thinking and creativity in academic disciplines. Particularly in the humanities, where it may diminish the depth of analysis and interpretation that is essential for these fields.
Education in AI: Opportunity and Threat in the Humanities
Yet, in the humanities and critical thinking fields, most see AI as a threat. The concerns go beyond cheating. They question whether higher education remains relevant if machines start doing all the thinking. College in the U.S. is costly, often leaving students in debt for decades. As public trust in universities drops, AI’s rise makes people question the value of a four-year degree.
A Bleak Outlook Among Humanities Professors
The Guardian interviewed over a dozen professors, mostly from the humanities. Most expressed frustration about AI’s impact. They highlighted how AI undermines genuine human intelligence. Some described their struggle as “depressing.” One professor even wished to throw popular AI tools “over a precipice.”
Existential Questions in the Classroom
Dora Zhang, a literature professor at UC Berkeley, no longer frames AI as just an academic honesty issue. Instead, she asks deeper, existential questions about its impact on humanity. Research already hints at AI’s negative effects on students’ cognitive and critical thinking skills.
Concerns About Eroding Skills
Michael Clune, a novelist and professor, says many students are already losing crucial reading and analytical skills. He warns that some universities are adopting AI too quickly and risk “self-lobotomizing.” This could lead to a decline in critical thinking and deep reading skills essential for a comprehensive education. Clune remains skeptical about AI’s educational value, even as Ohio State University requires a generative AI course for all freshmen.
Fears for the Future of the Humanities
Many humanities professors fear that technology will destroy their discipline. Recent statements from tech leaders predicting the loss of humanities jobs only add to the anxiety. However, some in tech argue that analytical and creative minds are still in high demand. Particularly for roles that require critical thinking and interdisciplinary skills that humanities graduates possess. Interestingly, some enrollment data suggests a possible revival of the humanities in the AI era. This indicates that students may be increasingly recognizing the value of critical thinking and ethical considerations in technology-driven fields.
A Divided Future for Higher Education
Some predict that the humanities will survive, but in a much smaller form. Tech leaders claim there will still be jobs for those with vocational training. However, educators worry that AI will deepen divides in American universities. Privileged students may get a traditional, tech-free liberal arts education. Meanwhile, others receive a “soulless” schooling managed by AI. This could, in turn, lead to a widening gap in educational quality and opportunities between different socioeconomic groups.
Growing Student Reliance on AI
Many professors see the fight against AI as hopeless. Surveys suggest that up to 92% of students already use AI in their schoolwork, and the numbers are growing. Faculty are also using AI more often. Some fear that soon, “a conversation between two robots” will define the college experience. This leads to concerns about the authenticity of student interactions and the quality of education. Particularly, reliance on AI may diminish critical thinking and interpersonal skills among students.
Coping Strategies in the Classroom
To prevent AI-generated work, some schools use detection software, while others ban accusations unless proven. Professors now rely on oral exams, handwritten notes, and class participation. Some require transparency statements about how assignments were completed. Teachers sometimes insert odd words into assignments to catch students using AI. This method helps to identify whether students are relying on AI-generated content instead of demonstrating their understanding and skills.
Mixed Reactions to AI in the Classroom
Some schools allow students to use AI. Karl Steel, an English professor, notes that AI has made student presentations more engaging. Still, he insists on certain analog methods, like having students highlight texts by hand and speak with minimal notes.
University Administrations Embrace AI
Meanwhile, many university leaders are turning to AI to improve teaching and research and streamline programs. For example, California State University is partnering with OpenAI. In a $50 million initiative, they will create an AI-powered higher education system. However, these plans rarely address how to help students who can’t read more than a few paragraphs. Or, those who submit AI-generated essays, which can hinder their learning and academic integrity. And, they often overlook the need for tailored support systems and educational resources to assist these students in developing their reading and writing skills.
Faculty Resistance and Organization
The American Association of University Professors has raised concerns about the lack of oversight in adopting new technologies. Some faculty unions now include AI protections in contracts. However, most resistance is informal and spread by word-of-mouth. Websites like Against AI provide resources and solidarity for educators pushing back against the use of AI in education. It includes strategies for those who oppose its integration in their teaching practices.
Discipline-Specific Responses
Some educators ban AI completely, though this often depends on the subject. Some disciplines embrace AI as a tool for enhancing learning, while others view it as a threat to academic integrity. Sociologist Megan McNamara explains that cultural differences between disciplines shape professors’ responses to AI use. She frames her conversations with students around growth and authenticity, rather than punishment.
Encouraging Critical Thinking About Technology
Many educators use the controversy around AI to challenge students to question technology. Eric Hayot, a literature professor, tells students that tech companies want them to feel helpless without their products. He avoids using AI in class and explains why students should do the same.
Rising Student Disillusionment
Some educators notice that students are increasingly wary of technology. Michael Clune, for instance, has seen a rise in interest in his flip phone after giving up his smartphone. Many students feel they are guinea pigs in a vast social experiment. They sense that something valuable is being taken from them.
A Call to Preserve Humanity in Education
Michigan offers a telling example. As the University of Michigan invests $850 million in an AI datacenter, critics argue that humanistic education is more important than ever. The goal is to foster the uniquely human traits that set us apart from machines. These include empathy, creativity, and critical thinking, which are essential in an increasingly automated world.
Choosing to Be Human
As Clune puts it, “Being human is a choice we are empowered to make.” For Pao, this belief shapes her teaching. She hopes to help students become content, observant individuals. They must be capable of describing the world around them. Even as technology continues to advance. She believes in encouraging critical thinking and fostering a deep appreciation for the nuances of human experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is AI affecting higher education?
AI is changing how students research, write, and learn, but it also raises concerns about reduced critical thinking and over-reliance on technology.
2. Why are professors worried about AI in classrooms?
Some professors believe AI may weaken students’ analytical skills and make it harder to assess original work.
3. Are universities banning AI tools?
Some universities restrict AI for certain assignments, while others allow it as a learning tool.
4. Can AI replace the humanities?
No, because the humanities focus on human interpretation, ethics, and creativity.
5. How are educators adapting to AI?
Many educators are using oral exams, handwritten work, and class participation to evaluate students.
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