Let’s Change the Narrative of AI

I just wrapped up an interesting AI session this week with the help of the wonderful Dr. Susie Belal and my sixth formers, and it was a real eye-opener! Working with this age group can be quite a challenge, as many of them carry the belief that they know it all. There’s also that added pressure at that age to focus solely on results rather than appreciating the learning process itself. I get it; I was there too once.

To kick things off during the session, I decided to share my personal journey with dyslexia. I spoke candidly about the challenges I’ve faced and how they have shaped my approach to learning. I also highlighted how technology, particularly AI, has significantly enhanced my life and learning experience. When I asked the students who uses AI (in whatever form it comes in) in their daily lives, not a single hand went up! The room was filled with a sense of guilt, and that’s exactly the narrative I want to change.

I took the opportunity to emphasise that using AI isn’t about feeling guilty or adhering to a strict set of do’s and don’ts; it’s about how we can engage with it better—ethically, practically, and as a tool —without losing our core values. The real growth happens when we encounter difficulties and learn from our mistakes. I encouraged them to see that the process of learning is just as important, if not more so, than the end result. It’s through those moments of struggle and perseverance that we truly develop our skills and understanding.

I talked about critical thinking and how that must come from them; we cannot pass that responsibility to the machines. I discussed hallucinations in AI and how it can get things wrong, and it’s up to us to correct that. I used an example from a presentation I delivered at the Egyptian Space Agency about the Father of Robotics. AI thinks the father of robotics is George Devol, but in fact, it’s Ismail Al-Jazari, an Arab scientist and inventor from the 12th century. Who will take responsibility for this? The AI companies have already acknowledged that they hallucinate. I used examples of text-to-image generation and how AI interprets them and different cultures. The examples were close to home, as the information churned out was not all correct, with lots of biases.

As I wrapped up the session, I could see some of the students beginning to shift their perspectives. I’m genuinely excited for our next session, where I will dive deeper into how to use AI effectively and responsibly. I want to show them that, when used properly, AI can be a powerful ally in their learning journey, helping them not only to learn more but also to potentially boost their grades.

Here’s to changing mindsets and making learning a purposeful, fun and enriching experience!

#AI #Education #LearningJourney #Dyslexia #GrowthMindset