ARTICLES, HEALTHY LIVING & WELL BEING. EATING DISORDERS, INTERNET SAFETY. FACTS ABOUT CYBER BULLYING
AI Discernment

There’s no denying it: AI has become an integral part of our lives. It’s readily accessible, fast, and efficiently handles tasks for us. However, before AI, we developed essential skills like reading, writing, listening, and critical thinking. Recent studies have shown that reliance on AI has increased significantly in learning settings, preventing the growth of critical thinking.
Dr. Ahmed, an assistant professor in engineering management, surveyed 285 students and discovered that 68.9% of them attributed their laziness to AI usage, while 27.7% reported limited critical thinking skills as a result. Although AI cannot completely replace critical thinking, there is a growing fear that the younger generation will become increasingly dependent on it, ultimately hindering their development of cognitive skills.
In today’s technology-driven world, it’s more important than ever to understand what critical thinking truly means and why it plays an essential role in our lives. Critical thinking empowers us to solve complex problems, make thoughtful, informed decisions, and enhance our ability to communicate effectively. However, we may inadvertently weaken this skill with the growing presence of AI programs like ChatGPT and our increasing dependence on technology.
While embracing new technology can unlock exciting opportunities for innovation and growth, it’s crucial to approach it with a balanced sense of skepticism. Maintaining curiosity while remaining cautious helps ensure that we’re not simply following trends but making thoughtful, informed choices. Here are some key considerations when evaluating the tool.
AI isn’t the most reliable source
AI is a useful tool, but it’s not perfect. For example, it once mistakenly told me that the Big Valley Jamboree, a well-known country music festival, happens in Drayton Valley when it actually takes place in Camrose, Alberta. This is a reminder that it’s important to double-check information and verify details using multiple sources to avoid errors.
Limited creativity
AI’s creativity often follows a formula. While it can generate new combinations of ideas or information, it relies on patterns from the data it has been trained on. This can sometimes make its responses seem repetitive or predictable.
Misinterpretation of complex queries
Complex queries can be misinterpreted, especially with nuanced or ambiguous questions. While clarity is the goal, responses may sometimes miss the mark. This highlights the importance of continually building critical thinking skills to understand and interpret challenging information better.
Dependency on data cutoff
AI has a knowledge cutoff, meaning it cannot access or learn from events that have occurred beyond a specific point. This limitation can result in it being outdated in specific contexts.
Given the limitations of AI, it is essential to prioritize the continuous development of our critical thinking skills. Here are several effective strategies to foster and enhance your critical thinking abilities:
Practice Caution: A Key to Critical Thinking
In a world overflowing with information, being cautious is a wise choice. Practicing caution is not a sign of hesitation; it’s a strength of critical thinking.
At the heart of critical thinking lies the art of inquiry—asking the right questions and dissecting information carefully. By doing so, we empower ourselves to make informed decisions.
Cultivate Open-Mindedness
Embracing open-mindedness can be challenging but a vital skill to develop. You create space for diverse perspectives and ideas by pushing beyond your biases. Make a conscious effort to listen actively to different viewpoints and welcome constructive feedback, even when it feels uncomfortable. This practice enriches your understanding and fosters personal growth, reminding you that every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new!
Do your research!
The more informed you are, the more empowered you’ll be to ask the right questions. Don’t rely on just one source—explore multiple perspectives to gain a well-rounded understanding before making any decisions. Research is your strongest ally in shaping your own informed opinions and choices.
While AI can streamline tasks and boost efficiency, it raises concerns about how it might affect our critical thinking ability. The key is using AI to enhance, not replace, our problem-solving and creative thinking. By striking the right balance, we can leverage AI’s benefits without losing the important skills that make us human.