If you are stupid, AI technology will not improve your life
Instead of imagining what AI can do for you in the future, think about what you have done with the technology already here.
When calculators were first used in the classroom in the early 70s, some thought that learning would be enhanced by freeing students from tedious arithmetic calculations, allowing them to focus on higher-order problem-solving and understanding concepts better. Calculators did help students. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), calculators were practical. By the 1980s, educators found that calculators could be effective tools in helping students understand mathematical ideas and perform complex calculations more effectively.
Others, however, were cautious. They feared that calculators might diminish students’ ability to perform complex calculations independently, leading to a dependence on technology rather than a deep understanding of the concepts. This caution, while initially met with criticism, is a necessary part of the conversation around technology in education.
Enough time has passed for us to make some general observations. Calculators had an overall positive impact on education. It has enhanced problem-solving skills and increased efficiency and accuracy for those who use it. Of course, it would! But let’s talk about what it has not done. It did not improve mental calculation skills; it weakened understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts, and critical thinking was bypassed because students leaned on the calculator to do even the task that students already knew how to perform. This piece of technology has not made any significant or discernable improvement in our society.
While calculators have made complex calculations easier and faster, they have not created engineers without a foundational understanding of mathematics and engineering principles. Engineers must possess problem-solving skills, creativity, and a deep knowledge of their field to apply calculations correctly and innovate new solutions. The calculator is a tool that assists but does not replace the need for critical thinking and expertise.
Technology has the potential to enhance our lives, but it cannot replace the essential human qualities of curiosity, creativity, innovation, and ingenuity. We depend on technology, expecting it to do all the heavy lifting to solve our problems. This dependence diminishes our ability to think critically, innovate, and solve problems. To benefit from technological advancements, we must use our human potential, using technology only as a tool to amplify our efforts (actions) rather than as a crutch to lean on. Creativity and curiosity drive progress and create better lives, not the technology itself. If we are not smart enough to insert ourselves into the fabric of the technologies we use, then we are the tools being used by AI to help train AI instead of the other way around.
Calculators are only one part of technology that has not really improved human skills. In fact, many times, the opposite has happened. Here is a list of great technologies that have not improved human skills.
Writing — Word processors, grammar checkers, and content management systems have streamlined the writing process, and they have not replaced the need for storytelling skills, creativity, and the ability to conduct thorough research and analysis. The quality of writing still depends heavily on the writer’s talent and dedication.
Teaching — Educational technology, such as online learning platforms and interactive whiteboards, has enhanced the learning experience, but it has not replaced the role of talented and dedicated teachers. Effective teaching requires the ability to inspire, engage, and adapt to the needs of students, which technology alone cannot achieve. I know of some teachers who throw technology at students with little or no guidance. They use it as a babysitting tool to keep students quiet and looking busy.
Art — Digital art tools and software have expanded the possibilities for artists, but they still need to replace the creativity, skill, and hard work required to produce great art. Artists still need a deep understanding of techniques, concepts, and artistic vision to create meaningful works. I see some artists that rely heavily on digital drawing and art. Just like other technology uses, these artists outsource everything they can on computer applications. Most of these people cannot draw a rock, but they hide behind the tools, doing the substantial heavy lifting of creativity. (If you consider a computer creative).
Photography — I have noticed a lot of people getting into the photography business with little or no photographic experience. Modern cameras, whether on a mobile device or stand-alone camera, have so many filters and capabilities that anyone can take a perfect picture (except if it is a picture of a ghost, spacecraft, or Big Foot). Modern cameras and editing software have made capturing and enhancing images easier but have not replaced the eye for composition, timing, and creativity that great photographers possess. Even with advanced technology, professional photographers rely on their experience and artistic vision to create compelling images.
Medicine — Diagnostic tools, medical imaging, and robotic surgery have revolutionized healthcare, but they have not eliminated the need for skilled doctors and surgeons. Medical professionals rely on their extensive training, experience, and intuition to diagnose and treat patients effectively. Many people use the vast information located online to self-diagnose and medicate. Good luck with that. Just remember, you will sooner or later have to come face-to-face with a flesh and blood doctor between now and your coroner’s visit.
For those who mistakenly believe that their technology use equates to their own skillset, the future holds a harsh lesson: no technology can replace human skill, innovation, and creativity. Without fundamental skills in their field, no application or piece of technological hardware will improve their abilities. Despite being surrounded by new and innovative technology, if you lack proficiency in math, reading, drawing, or even finding your way to the nearest bar you won’t rise above your current skill level.
Some people are making money using these tools, but that is precisely the point: they use technology as tools, not as the creators of art and content. Great doctors, engineers, and teachers understand the difference between genuine skill and the pretenders who hide behind the technology they use.
While technology such as calculators, word processors, educational tools, digital art software, modern cameras, and medical equipment have undeniably enhanced certain aspects of various fields, they have not replaced the fundamental skills, creativity, and expertise required to excel truly. Technology will not make you an engineer, doctor, or painter without a foundational understanding and knowledge of these fields. The core abilities of problem-solving, critical thinking, and deep understanding remain essential and irreplaceable. Technology should be seen as a tool to augment human potential, not a substitute for it. Those who rely solely on technology without developing their underlying skills will find themselves at a disadvantage, often becoming tools of the technology themselves rather than mastering it. True success lies in mastering one’s craft and using technology to enhance rather than replace human ingenuity and capability.
