There is a risk that universities could undermine students' ability to think independently if they introduce artificial intelligence (AI) into the educational process without fully realizing its impact.
This warning was voiced at the fourth conference of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) on innovations in teaching and learning science, which recently took place at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban. More than three hundred faculty members and students from various fields participated in the conference to discuss how higher education should respond to the growing application of AI and other challenges facing it.
Professor Thabo Msibi, Deputy President of UKZN for Teaching and Learning, noted that universities can no longer rely on previous teaching methods as the surrounding world continues to transform. He emphasized that 'when the world changes, teaching and learning cannot remain static.'
Msibi also stated the need to transition to a more human-centered approach to teaching and learning, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to solve societal problems.
Concerns about AI in the classroom
Professor Wayne Holmes from University College London warned that universities are implementing AI in education too hastily, lacking sufficient evidence of its benefits, safety, and impact on students. He noted: 'At first glance, AI is astonishing, but the reality is very different.'
Holmes called for increased regulation and cautioned that short-term gains enjoyed by universities could lead to long-term problems if the risks are not properly studied.
Professor Oscar Kuppmann, current Dean of the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University, reported that AI is changing the student learning process by taking on tasks such as reading, interpreting information, comparing ideas, and writing texts. He added that while the internet simplified access to information, AI can now provide answers before students have time to figure out problems independently.
Kuppmann cautioned that students risk losing valuable learning experience if they rely excessively on AI instead of developing their own understanding.