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- Teachers warn AI is impacting students' critical thinking
Teachers warn AI is impacting students' critical thinking
Greetings AI enthusiasts. Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more integrated into students' academic lives, raising concerns among educators about its impact on critical thinking skills. AI's rapid adoption in schools has sparked debates about its role in learning, with some teachers warning that over-reliance on the technology could hinder students' cognitive development.
In today’s email:
Teachers warn AI is impacting students' critical thinking
Apple Prepping an 'AI Doctor' and Health App Revamp
Everyone’s Talking About AI Agents. Barely Anyone Knows What They Are
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AXIOS
AI Spotlight: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more integrated into students' academic lives, raising concerns among educators about its impact on critical thinking skills. AI's rapid adoption in schools has sparked debates about its role in learning, with some teachers warning that over-reliance on the technology could hinder students' cognitive development. While AI has potential benefits, such as offering tutoring support, experts emphasize the importance of using it wisely to avoid diminishing independent problem-solving abilities.
Key details to know:
AI use in education is growing: In 2024, 70% of U.S. teens had used generative AI tools, with more than half using them for homework assistance.
Concerns about critical thinking: Teachers like Gina Parnaby warn that AI can lead students to outsource their thinking, undermining their ability to construct logical arguments and perform critical analysis.
Study findings on cognitive effects: Research from Carnegie Mellon University and Microsoft highlights that improper use of AI can deteriorate cognitive abilities, reducing engagement and problem-solving skills.
Negative impact on younger students: Teachers like Alexa Borota believe AI’s effects are particularly harmful to younger students who haven't yet developed strong foundational knowledge, potentially impairing their long-term academic growth.
AI’s role in leveling the playing field: Experts, such as Stanford’s Denise Pope, acknowledge that AI can support students who need extra help, such as those from non-English-speaking households, but emphasize the importance of teaching students to use it responsibly.
While AI has great potential in education, it is crucial that students learn to use it in a way that enhances rather than diminishes their cognitive abilities and critical thinking skills. Educators must strike a balance to ensure AI is a tool for learning, not a crutch.
APPLE
AI Spotlight: Apple is reportedly working on an AI-powered doctor and a revamped version of its Health app under the codename Project Mulberry. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, development of this tool is progressing rapidly, with a potential release as soon as iOS 19.4, expected in 2026. The revamped Health app, unofficially named Health+, will collect data from Apple devices, such as the Apple Watch, to offer personalized healthcare recommendations. This initiative places Apple in direct competition with established health apps and services, marking a significant shift toward integrating AI with healthcare.
Key details to know:
The Health+ app will analyze data from Apple devices, like heart rate from the Apple Watch, to offer tailored health recommendations.
The app could suggest lifestyle changes, such as dietary recommendations for those with high blood pressure.
Apple is working with in-house physicians and plans to include more specialists and even celebrity doctors to create instructional content.
Food tracking may be a major feature, positioning Apple to compete with popular health apps like MyFitnessPal and Noom.
The app could act as a personal trainer, using the iPhone camera to assess workout techniques and suggest improvements, integrating with Apple’s Fitness+ platform.
Apple’s AI-powered healthcare initiative marks a step toward integrating personalized health and wellness into everyday technology, offering users tailored advice while posing new challenges around data privacy and usage.
AI AGENTS
AI Spotlight: The term "agentic" is rapidly gaining traction in Silicon Valley, particularly within the enterprise software industry, where it's being used to describe AI systems that can perform tasks on behalf of humans. However, there is a lack of consensus on its precise meaning, leading to confusion. The ambiguity surrounding what qualifies as an "AI agent" is creating challenges for businesses and technology professionals trying to implement these systems effectively. The varying interpretations of the concept have led to debates about the true nature of AI agents and what actions are considered "agentic."
Key details to know:
The term "agentic" is used in Silicon Valley to refer to AI systems that can perform tasks on behalf of humans, like purchasing groceries or making reservations.
There is confusion surrounding the definition of "AI agents," with different interpretations about what constitutes an "action" that these systems can perform.
Not all software actions are considered agentic. For AI to be truly agentic, it must be able to reason and make decisions based on contextual knowledge.
Many systems currently labeled as "AI agents" are actually just chatbots or AI assistants that follow predefined instructions, not making independent decisions.
A recent Gartner webinar revealed that only 6% of participants had deployed AI agents, indicating that the concept is still in its early stages and not widely implemented.
The lack of clarity around the term "agentic" may be hindering the development and application of AI agents in the enterprise software industry. A more standardized definition is needed for effective deployment and understanding of these technologies.