Your Undivided Attention Rethinking School in the Age of AI
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Apr 21, 2025 
Rebecca Winthrop, director of the Center for Universal Education, and Maryanne Wolf, cognitive neuroscientist and reading expert, dive deep into how AI is reshaping education. They discuss the immediate challenges for students and teachers as traditional methods become obsolete. The duo highlights the need for meaningful learning experiences over passive tech use and explores successful AI implementations, such as a tutoring program in Nigeria. They advocate for a human-centered approach to education that fosters curiosity while addressing the risks AI poses to social development.
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AI Risks Student De-skilling
- AI can replicate logical reasoning skills but may lead students to de-skill by having AI write essays for them.
- This risks undermining core learning goals like clear thinking and argument organization.
Deep Reading Needs Effort, Print
- Deep reading skills develop best in print to foster analogical, inferential, empathic, and critical thinking.
- Effort in learning is essential; overreliance on AI risks cognitive offloading and shallower understanding.
Protect Core Thinking Skills
- Do not cognitively offload core thinking and learning skills to technology.
- Preserve deep skills like critical thinking that help learners understand and generate new ideas.
