Any mention of Artificial Intelligence (AI) these days is bound to generate a wide variety of responses. Some are overly excited by what they have heard about its potential while others are fearful of it. That’s largely because most people don’t fully understand AI yet. That often happens when any new technology begins to emerge. It takes people time to wrap their heads around anything that is likely to change the way they have always done something. They need to figure out how to adapt so they can use it in beneficial ways.

Just like during previous technological revolutions, including way back when man discovered how to use fire, developed tools, and invented the wheel, those who refuse to change and insist on clinging to ‘the old way’ of doing things get run over by people using the latest technology. Just look at the difference in the way the war in Ukraine is being fought compared to the battles of the American Revolution when the Americans beat the superior British military machine by being innovative and using new-to-them strategies like guerrilla warfare. These days many militaries are fighting in very different ways, finding more success by using new technologies, like drones.

Just like military strategists know they must adapt to achieve victory, most people are finding they are going to need to learn how to use AI to their advantage or they will be left behind in the dustbin of history by those who come to embrace it before they do. This is particularly true in school settings.

Many teachers are struggling to figure out how to handle students’ usage of AI. More than a few complain that AI is making it too easy for students to cheat. Consequently, they need to approach AI for what it is. It’s a tool that presents challenges and opportunities. AI requires people to think smarter, not to work harder. This may require a big change in how some teachers teach.

Think back to the advent of the World Wide Web. It made rote memorization seem quaint. Now students are able to find mass quantities of information at the touch of a button. Rather than drilling students and teaching recall strategies, the challenge for educators today is to help their students sort through and evaluate all that easily accessible information. AI can help, but the role of teachers has shifted. They must devote more time and effort to showing their students that critical thinking skills are more important than ever. That’s because the value of information AI provides is so dependent on the quality of the data initially entered into AI programs. They have to help students figure out when they are looking at incorrect or misleading information.

Students still need to learn how to write and compute, but the way writing and computational tasks are assigned may change. For example, teachers may need to focus more on the process, requiring reviews of drafts, edits, and process reflections rather than only calling for a final product. Teachers need to show students how to use AI responsibly, not just as a shortcut.

Teachers need to show students how to use AI to help them with tasks AI is good at, like brainstorming and organizing ideas. They will likely also need to place more emphasis on teaching problem solving skills, creativity, innovation, and invention. AI is not yet great at this and may never figure out how to do it well. The most impactful innovations and inventions come from people, not machines.

When we started to use computers in business settings it changed the way we did many things. Some embraced computers. Others fought against adopting computer technologies. Some said they would never waste time learning how to use a computer insisting the old ways of doing things were better. They could never imagine that the majority of us would now be walking around everywhere with a computer in our pocket in the form of a smart phone. Just like that, we need to consider how AI may positively impact our lives in ways we can’t yet imagine.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s Local Economic Development committee knows AI is here and its many uses will likely continue to grow exponentially. There is no stopping the future. We all need to learn how to use AI in the smartest ways. It could help us realize cost savings, be more competitive, and improve our communities. AI has the potential to make our lives easier and much better.

To learn more about how to help teachers, students, or community members with AI, regional workforce force development, or other business initiatives, contact Dean Kaustav Misra, Dean of the SUNY Fredonia School of Business, or one of his many colleagues. 

Patty Hammond is Economic Development Coordinator at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The Local Economic Development (LED) Initiative is a standing committee of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF). Send comments or suggestions to Patty Hammond at phammond@nccfoundation.org