However, over-reliance on this technology is making the line between use and abuse more fragile than ever.
When support becomes a habit
The explosive development of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years has opened a new era in all fields, especially education. With outstanding data processing capabilities, fast response capabilities and rich information synthesis capabilities, AI has quickly become a powerful tool in learning and research. In the context of students increasingly facing pressure from scores, deadlines and huge amounts of exercise, AI appears as an ideal solution to optimize time and improve learning outcomes.
Things are getting easier
At the end of a tutoring session for his grandson, Huu Tin, an English teacher who did not hide his famous sigh, even though his nephew has completed all the assigned homework and even the answer is almost true. However, during the course of study, Mr. Tin's questions were often responded by silence. It is not difficult to recognize, the exact solutions are written in the notebook not from the grandson, but from a help behind the computer screen.
Children today access technology too early, and with their agility, they easily learn how to apply AI to their lives. For homework, difficult problems for them all become easy and quick, unable to make them spend time thinking and thinking like before, Mr. Tin shared.
Not only Mr. Tin, many other teachers are also sharing this thought after tiring teaching hours. In just a short time, artificial intelligence has penetrated into every aspect of life, from work, entertainment to education. With just a smartphone and a few simple steps, students can access a series of AI tools to support learning such as: ChatGPT, grammarly, Quillbot or flashcard creation platforms, automatic tests, and even applications capable of analyzing using images.
This convenience makes many students see AI as an indispensable companion in the learning process. For any question, just log into an AI tool for learners to get a complete, easy-to-understand and concise answer. From writing ideas for the paper, explaining the physical formula, to creating a review outline before the exam - AI can do everything in a few seconds. This makes many students feel that studying becomes easier and more effective.
Because AI can provide information quickly and clearly, students today are starting to form the habit of "answering AI before asking teachers". While they used to need to read documents, synthesize knowledge and debate with friends to understand the problem, or at least look up Google and filter information themselves, now just opening an AI application makes everything easier to understand than ever. AI is not only a source of knowledge but also plays the role of an intelligent guide, ready to answer all questions regardless of the time.
From a positive perspective, AI is clearly bringing many benefits. In universities, a number of lecturers have also taken advantage of AI to support teaching such as preparing lesson plans, creating multiple-choice questions, synthesizing teaching materials, or even giving feedback on exercises to students. It is undeniable that AI is helping both teachers and learners save time and improve work efficiency.
From "use" to "abuse"
From a supporting tool, artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming an alternative solution in learning. This leads to a worrying reality: Students not only use AI to support but also to do instead of studying. Writing an article, solving a problem or analyzing a document is no longer a personal task of students - it is the task of AI, and humans play the role of a copy artist.
This situation makes more and more teachers and lecturers feel worried. According to The Time higher education, a global survey shows that more than 80% of teaching staff are concerned that students are becoming overly dependent on AI. Many people realized that students are no longer able to evaluate the quality of information provided by this tool, and worse, they no longer see the need to deeply understand the problem. In their eyes, the score is the result, but how to achieve it is no longer important.
"Students often find the fastest way to solve the problems they are assigned. Previously, with paper and pen, they would find the fastest formulas and techniques ever taught to solve the problem. If students no longer do that, their studies will not bring real results," Mr. Tin added.
Thus, the most obvious consequence of AI overuse is the erosion of independent thinking ability. With all questions answered by AI, students gradually lose the need to self-discovery, ask questions and reason - key skills for intellectual development. There are students who cannot write a short paragraph without the support of AI. They also have difficulty taking handwriting exams, because without AI support, they don't know where to start.
In addition, using AI incorrectly also creates injustice in learning. People who do not use AI, despite their hard work and thinking, may still be behind those who use AI to create perfect tasks. Some students use AI to write the entire essay and submit it as their own, while others only use technology to look up information or find ideas. In a learning environment without clear regulations, it is difficult to distinguish between who uses AI properly and who abuses it.
The "abuse" of technology in education also leads to long-term consequences for society. A generation of students who grow up with the habit of relying on technology may have difficulty entering real life, where AI does not always solve all problems. At that time, problem-solving skills, critical thinking and creativity - skills that are trained throughout the learning process - will become weak or even non-existent.
