Artificial intelligence, higher education, debate
Higher education faces a serious challenge in the form of neural networks and their widespread use for writing scientific papers. However, the system is adapting and instead of banning the use of artificial intelligence agents, scientists are proposing to take a step back and introduce a tool that was considered somewhat outdated into training.
News on the Internet, articles and materials can be divided into areas that worry us or that help us to rejoice. But there is a small niche of useful scientific content, and if it also offers some effective solutions in the form of useful habits… Strange articles about the brain, AI, fuel for neurons – you you will find in the community materials. Subscribe so you don't miss new materials!
Debate and artificial intelligence
The ability to conduct a discussion means not only to argue, but also to understand the subject of the dispute in the smallest detail in order to be able to defend or refute any aspect of it. The impact of AI on the education system is a subject of debate and extensive study. In the first couple of days, we tried to fight it, regarding neural networks as a threat. Artificial intelligence offers a shortcut for writing different essays “on a topic.” But the essence of training is for a person to master the skill of writing, speaking and thinking independently. This is exactly what our research focuses on: how introducing debate will help develop these qualities.
Jacob Justice, assistant professor of speech communication
Jacob Justice and co-author Brett Bricker, associate director of debate at the University of Kansas, published the work in a special issue of Argumentation and Advocacy dedicated to student political debate. Researchers say that learning debate develops understanding, research skills and empathy.
Recent studies show that using AI tools to assist with writing results in a 25% decrease in conceptual accuracy and a 12% decrease in reading comprehension. In this situation, an ideal basis is created for the substitution of concepts, manipulations and embodiments of everything he talks about postmodern philosophy.
Rethinking learning and the risks of using neural networks
Artificial intelligence is gaining popularity amid a decline in literacy and reading comprehension on average in the United States. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicates that less than half of U.S. fourth graders scored at or above proficient reading in 2022. Which was a significant decrease compared to previous years.
We thought about the biggest concerns people have about artificial intelligence, which is that it will impair critical thinking and argumentation skills. At the same time, debate helps develop these same skills.
Jacob Justice, assistant professor of speech communication
Justice and Bricker argue that exploring a debate topic requires more than just a superficial knowledge of the subject or a bulleted list of key points, which is all that most available AI agents can provide. Although, the new neural network prophesies a deep understanding of meaning and philosophy.
Advantage of Debate
The point is that debate is not just about presenting points of view. You must be able, under time pressure, to respond to the arguments and facts presented by your opponent. Then rebuild your arguments in response to the new information received. And then compare and weigh everything that was said within the topic. These are the things that a student will become very good at over time, and I don't think the current generation of AI platforms will handle these challenges as well.
Jacob Justice, assistant professor of speech communication
Early societies of philosophers might disagree vehemently on any issue, but they were willing to sit across the table from each other and treat each other's arguments with respect. It was valuable art. As part of it, not only the ability to argue developed, but also empathy towards the enemy grew.
Brett Bricker, Associate Director of Debate at the University of Kansas
Bricker and Justice hope to see debate teams appear in grades 1 through 12 and in higher education, but also want to see greater use of debate in classrooms across all curriculums.
Overall, to me, this proposal looks very, very sound. Especially against the backdrop of almost unconditional trust in artificial intelligence. The problem of postmodernism, when it is becoming easier to generate fakes and the amount of scam is growing exponentially, is more acute than ever in the world. And just the ability to flexibly defend one’s point of view, the ability to rationally evaluate new information and not succumb to various forms of manipulation can even become an evolutionary trait.
You will find more information about the brain, psyche, consciousness, merging with neural networks and more in community materials. Subscribe so you don't miss the latest articles!
