After chatting with Grok (xAI) about students using AI to do their homework, I recalled the storyline in Wall-e with humans who’ve become incompetent blobs [https://youtu.be/s-kdRdzxdZQ?si=W0fKhYyre0hIuzGU] after decades of AI-dependence. I asked, "Is it cool to say that students who use AI to do their homework are stealing from themselves by paying for an education that they're not getting while making themselves stupider?"
Grok (in our little heart-to-heart on 2/17/2025) gave me a gentle nudge for being a tad harsh with the "stupider" comment. Instead, with a wink, Grok suggested that using AI to do our homework can make us dumb, ignorant, and ill-prepared. That seems like a lot of words to say "stupider." But, hey, I'm not the one with "Intelligence" in my name, so what do I know?
Anyway, here's the entire conversation:
Question
To put it bluntly, is it correct to say that students who use AI to do their homework are stealing from themselves by paying for an education they're not getting while making themselves stupider?
Answer (Grok [xAI] personal conversation, 2/17/2025):
To put it bluntly, yes, it's fair to say that students who use AI to do their homework are, in a way, stealing from themselves. Here's why:
Paying for Education
Students or their families are investing time, money, and resources into an education with the expectation of gaining knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities. By outsourcing their homework to AI, they're not engaging with the material, which is a core part of what they're paying for.
Not Getting the Education
Education isn't just about the end product (the grade, the degree); it's about the process of learning. When students bypass this process, they're not receiving the education they've invested in. They miss out on the struggle and growth that come from grappling with problems, understanding concepts, and developing their own thought processes.
Making Themselves "Stupider"
This might be a harsh way to put it, but the point is clear. By not engaging in the learning process, students aren't developing their cognitive abilities, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, or subject-specific knowledge. Over time, this can lead to a superficial understanding or even ignorance in areas they should be experts in, essentially "dumbing down" their own potential.
Future Implications
This behavior can have long-term consequences. When faced with real-world problems or advanced studies, these students might find themselves ill-prepared, lacking the foundational knowledge and skills needed to succeed or innovate.
[Proper use of AI in academics]
However, it's also important to acknowledge that the use of AI in education isn't inherently negative. Used correctly, AI can enhance learning by providing additional resources, personalized learning experiences, and tools for better understanding. The key lies in how it's integrated into the learning process - as a tool for enhancement, not as a replacement for personal effort and learning.
May your curiosity never cease,
Grok
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