Source: The post AI shortcuts dismantle thinking at the heart of education has been created, based on the article “Letting AI do our thinking will wreck the purpose of education” published in “The Hindu” on 10th July 2025
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Context: This article explores the increasing reliance on ready-made lesson plans and AI-generated content in education. It warns against bypassing the hard work of thinking and argues that true learning lies in active planning, not pre-designed templates. The rise of AI in both teaching and learning raises deep concerns for educational integrity.
For detailed information on The Rise and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence read this article here
The Limits of Pre-Packaged Planning
- Teaching as Improvisation, Not Scripted Delivery: Pre-packaged lesson plans often fail because they overlook the unpredictable nature of classrooms. A teacher not involved in creating the plan cannot fully grasp student needs or anticipate classroom dynamics. Teaching, like strategy, requires adapting in real-time.
- Value Lies in the Planning Process: The real strength of a plan lies in the reflection behind it. Thinking through possible student reactions, knowledge gaps, and tools for intervention builds flexibility. This planning process helps teachers respond more effectively when lessons go off-script.
- Dangers of Teaching Without Ownership: Using someone else’s plan locks teachers into rigid behaviours, making them less responsive. It often leads to either mechanical teaching or complete breakdown when students deviate from expected responses.
The AI Disruption in Higher Education
- Teachers Outsourcing Thinking to AI: With AI tools like ChatGPT, many educators, especially in higher education, are now generating lectures and course materials instantly. While it seems efficient, it undermines the educator’s core role—to model and practise independent thinking.
- Students Also Outsourcing Learning: Students mirror this behaviour by using AI to complete assignments. Essays, problem sets, and even reflections can now be generated in seconds, eliminating the intellectual effort required to understand concepts.
- Traditional Assessment Methods Become Obsolete: Take-home assignments have lost meaning in many institutions. Since AI can now solve them easily, they no longer serve their educational purpose of stimulating student thought.
The Collapse of Educational Purpose
- Outsourced Thinking Weakens Learning: This widespread dependence on AI marks a critical breakdown of education’s core function: building the capacity to think. If both teachers and students skip this step, nothing substantial remains of the learning process.
- Schools vs Higher Education: While schools remain somewhat protected due to stricter supervision and younger students, higher education lacks adequate checks. The extent of AI misuse remains unclear, but its trajectory is deeply troubling.
Way Forward
- Return to In-Person and Live Assessments: Supervised exams, oral evaluations, and discussions must return to ensure genuine learning. Only direct observation of thought in action can verify understanding.
- AI Must Remain a Tool, Not a Crutch: Like pre-designed lesson plans, AI should support, not replace, the thinking process. Used recklessly, it risks hollowing out education entirely.
- Upholding Struggle as the Heart of Learning: Learning, teaching, and thinking are inherently difficult but meaningful. Institutions must embed this professional and ethical commitment into their systems, using AI only when it doesn’t compromise educational goals
Question for practice:
Discuss how the increasing use of AI and pre-packaged lesson plans is impacting the core purpose of education.
