The AI Knowledge Paradox: Navigating Progress with a Sprinkle of Hope

"Over the centuries we have elevated the aspects of intelligence that seem uniquely human: language, imagination, creativity and logic. We reserve certain words for ourselves. Humans think and reason, computers calculate. Humans make art, computers generate it. Humans swim, boats and submarines do not. And yet “computer” was once a 17th century job title for a human that calculated, and we employed rooms full of them before we formalized mechanical and electronic computers.

The AI effect is actually part of a larger human phenomenon we call the frontier paradox. Because we ascribe to humans the frontier beyond our technological mastery, that frontier will always be ill-defined. Intelligence is not a thing that we can capture but an ever-approaching horizon that we turn into useful tools. Technology is the artifice of intelligence forged over millennia of human collaboration and competition." - AI and the Frontier Paradox

As an educator, I've always been fascinated by learning and my access to the 'ever-expanding sea of knowledge.'?At first, it was the books and magazines I read, but online articles became my go-to when the internet was publicized. Now, information is even more readily available, and tools like Generative AI research assistants constantly push the boundaries of what's accessible. We can consume and create more information with the help of generative tools. I once produced articles full of untamed, misspelled, and tangled thoughts; now, AI "speeds up my writing, smooths out all the rough edges, enhances the grammar mistakes, and helps me further my research." But as I increase the use of AI tools such as Google Docs, Grammarly, ChatGPT, and Gemini, a sameness is starting to creep into my writing; are my sentences, the articles I produce, or the code I create - all beginning to sound the same? Have we become a generation that is reliant on AI already?

Have we become a generation that is reliant on AI already?

Imagine a graph. On the x-axis, we have time. On the y-axis, we have collective knowledge. Initially, the line steadily climbs; we are bombarded with articles fueled by human and AI efforts. Our collective knowledge base grows at an alarming rate.

However, a potential outcome emerges as AI advances. While it becomes increasingly efficient at reproducing existing knowledge, as noted by Max Tegmark in his Time article, "The 'Don't Look Up' Thinking That Could Doom Us With AI," it might also start generating its learning based on this limited data set. This raises a question: as AI becomes the norm in society, could it inadvertently create a 'knowledge plateau' where our collective intelligence "stagnates despite continued information consumption?" Is AI, the tool we created to propel us forward, potentially hindering our ability to explore new frontiers of knowledge?

Is AI, the tool we created to propel us forward, potentially hindering our ability to explore new frontiers of knowledge?

I am coining this phenomenon as the 'AI Knowledge Paradox'(I have not found this term elsewhere, yet?).

AI dependence weakens knowledge creation, lacking the personal touch and diverse perspectives that enrich understanding. We become adept at consuming, not creating, potentially hindering critical thinking and exploration.

I spend a lot of time speaking with my colleagues, especially those who teach English and Humanities. This fear of being unable to generate original thoughts is a resounding complaint in education, and now we need to factor in Generative AI. If students continue to use and produce work with Generative AI, will the graph line flatten faster and at an earlier age??Will students using Generative AI collect only the output of AI, thus leveling out on collective knowledge sooner or will they learn the skills to use AI productively and powerfully?

Will students using Generative AI collect only the output of AI, thus leveling out on collective knowledge sooner or will they learn the skills to use AI productively and powerfully?

Similarly, in coding, AI tools make coding accessible to everyone. What once was career for the few, these AI-powered coding editors have democratized code for those with internet access. With pre-written snippets and auto-completion suggestions, will everyone have the 'ability to code'? Will they write the same lines and structures? Will the code become unoriginal and less creative??Will AI learn to code for itself with our increased use?

I apologize if this seems a little doomsday-ish, but I can't help but compare it to the "Filter Bubbles" or "Echo Chambers" concept. Filter bubbles happen when social media platforms personalize content based on user preferences. Staying in these echo chambers can potentially expose you only to information that confirms existing beliefs and hinders exposure to diverse perspectives. This can limit the knowledge base and hinder critical thinking if individuals do not actively seek diverse viewpoints. (To read more about the Echo Chambers, https://roundtable.datascience.salon/solving-the-filter-bubble-using-machine-learning)

Like echo chambers, dependence on AI increases the risks of limiting diverse perspectives and hindering the development of new ideas. Education, not fear, is key to challenging this risk. Grammar checkers, translation tools, writing assistants – these AI marvels refine our communication but act as double-edged swords. While AI tools raise concerns about homogenization, they also offer benefits like improved communication. We must navigate this complexity, fostering critical thinking and leveraging AI responsibly.

• Individual agency remains:?Writers who value their unique voice can leverage AI for efficiency while consciously injecting their individuality.
• Learning opportunities abound:?AI tools can expose us to diverse writing styles, enriching our expression.
• Accessibility and empowerment:?AI offers invaluable support for locating new resources and for those with language barriers or learning difficulties.
• Punctuating like an English teacher: AI offers insight into fragments, passive voice, Oxford commas, and typos- helping us all to write the way our English teachers always wanted us to.

The future lies in AI complementing, not replacing, human thought. By using the power of AI to increase our efficiency, we can focus more on developing other skills and becoming efficient but also effective and ethical in the work we create.?

The question remains, how do we help students become better thinkers, communicators, problem-solvers, makers, innovators, or even AI ethical users if we forbid the use of AI or punish students for exploring the opportunities? How can we nurture critical thinkers and innovators if we punish exploration? Banning AI hinders learning, not progress.

Fostering a Diverse Learning Environment

We can mitigate groupthink tendencies by prioritizing activities that build critical thinking and growth:

• Fact-Checking Exercises and Source Analysis: Encourage students to verify online information, use diverse sources, and identify biases. This cultivates critical thinking and prepares them to navigate the vast sea of AI-generated content with discernment.
• Debates and Discussions: Facilitate forums where students actively seek and engage with opposing viewpoints. This practice enriches their understanding of complex issues and fosters a culture of empathy and openness.
• Open-Ended Projects and Makerspaces: Create opportunities for students to pursue personal interests through projects encouraging innovation beyond traditional approaches. Encouraging experimentation with new technologies and diverse materials stimulates creative problem-solving skills.

The Critical Thinking Consortium offers resources for reinforcing critical thought in your classroom.?https://tc2.ca/

Cultivating Creativity in the AI Era

Encouraging creativity in the context of AI requires many activities.

• Encourage Open-Ended Exploration: By promoting projects that allow for personal expression and exploration, we inspire students to venture beyond conventional boundaries. This could involve integrating AI tools creatively, from digital art to narrative writing, encouraging students to experiment with how AI can augment rather than define their creative output.
• Foster Collaborative Creativity: Utilize AI to bring together diverse perspectives in brainstorming sessions and collaborative projects. AI can help identify connections between disparate ideas or suggest novel approaches, enriching the creative process.
• Leverage Makerspaces and Innovation Labs: These spaces should not only focus on traditional materials but also incorporate AI technologies, allowing students to explore the intersection of creativity, technology, and innovation. This hands-on engagement helps demystify AI and sparks imaginative uses of technology.

Ethical AI Development and Application

As we cultivate creativity, ethical considerations in AI usage and development must be at the forefront:

• Integrate Ethics into Curriculum: Teaching students about the ethics of AI through case studies, discussions, and role-playing scenarios helps them understand the complex moral landscape. This should include examining biases in AI, privacy concerns, the future of AI, and the societal impact of technological advancements from real-world examples.
• Promote Responsible AI Use: Encourage students to consider the ethical implications of their work with AI, from the data they use to the potential consequences of their creations. This fosters a sense of responsibility and critical engagement with technology.
• Engage with the AI Community: Invite experts in AI ethics, developers, and artists to share their insights, challenges, and solutions. This provides students with real-world perspectives and highlights the diverse career paths and ethical considerations in AI.
• Transparency and accountability are key AI-driven decision-making raise concerns about fairness and groupthink. AI should complement, not replace, human judgment and ethical considerations.

In the face of the AI Knowledge Paradox, nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and ensuring ethical engagement are important. These skills not only counteract the potential homogeneity but can help engage our current learners in being the developers of AI models that enrich our collective intelligence and are built on ethical standards.

Every new technological revolution reminds us that technology should be used 'with moderation.' We must acknowledge AI's impact, both positive and negative, to harness its potential and ensure human intelligence remains the "guiding force." Throughout history, intelligence has been a defining factor in the power dynamics between species. As author Ariel Conn says, "Intelligence enables control: humans control tigers not because we are stronger, but because we are smarter." (Future of Life Institute) How do we stay smarter than AI??

How do we stay smarter than AI??

With AI:

• Efficiency matters:?AI helps us create quicker, freeing time to get more creative. For example, Chatbots handle routine inquiries, allowing agents to focus on resolving complex issues. Seek ways to use AI efficiency to solve complex problems.https://partnershiponai.org/ai-rules-of-the-road-in-2024/?
• Accessibility:?AI tools can help us locate information and resources faster, making learning and knowledge acquisition faster, or translation tools can help individuals overcome language barriers. Use AI to locate resources that enhance human knowledge and diversity.
• Innovation persists:?Those pushing AI's boundaries can craft groundbreaking solutions. For example, AI can sift through large amounts of data to seek patterns, leading to discoveries. For example, analyzing protein structures faster to accelerate drug discoveries.
• Collaboration flourishes:?AI can assist teams in communicating better, writing consistent code, and excelling in teamwork.
• Focus on deeper skills:?AI can help free time from repetitive tasks, and time can be devoted to complex problem-solving.

Beyond Individual Expression: Reframing the Narrative

The 'AI Knowledge Paradox' extends beyond individual expression. By developing our unique human skills, we can ensure that AI complements, rather than replaces, human ingenuity. ' Our future will always have new tools that are more powerful and efficient, but the 'masterpiece' should continue to be composed by us.

"Remember, the power lies in our hands. Let's wield it wisely."

Buhler, Konstantine. "AI and the Frontier Paradox." Sequoia Capital, 2024. https://www.sequoiacap.com/article/ai-paradox-perspective/

Crawford, Kate. "What Exactly Are the Dangers Posed by AI?" The New York Times, May 1, 2023.?https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/01/technology/ai-problems-danger-chatgpt.html

Future of Life Institute. "Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence."?https://futureoflife.org/ai/benefits-risks-of-artificial-intelligence/

Partnership on AI "AI Rules of the Road in 2024."?https://partnershiponai.org/ai-rules-of-the-road-in-2024/

Tegmark, Max. "The 'Don't Look Up' Thinking That Could Doom Us With AI." Time, May 10, 2023.?https://time.com/6273743/thinking-that-could-doom-us-with-ai/

This piece was created with original thought, research was completed first with Perplexity AI, the article was written in Grammarly, and then feedback and wordsmithing were accomplished with the use of ChatGPT4 and Google Gemini. Additional articles were found with the help of Gemini to support original thought. Code was manipulated from ChatGPT-created data and improvements.