As a language teacher, mother, and wife, I manage a busy schedule, and artificial intelligence (AI) has become my trusted assistant. It has saved me time by helping me draft emails, generate lesson plans, and develop creative ideas for class activities. However, the more I rely on AI, the more I recognize its limitations. While these tools have been invaluable, I have found that overusing them can strip away the personal touch that makes teaching truly meaningful.
A Shift in Perspective
Chris Dede, associate director of research for the National AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education, summed it up well when he said, “The trick about AI is that to get it, we need to change what we are educating people for because if you educate people for what AI does well, you are just preparing them to lose to AI. But if you educate them for what AI cannot do, then you have got IA [Intelligence Augmentation].” This realization has changed how I approach my teaching.
AI may excel at processing data but cannot think critically, connect emotionally, or make creative, ethical decisions. It cannot adapt to the unpredictable or think outside the box. By focusing on Intelligence Augmentation (IA), we can use AI to enhance our abilities rather than let it replace human intelligence. IA encourages us to use AI tools while nurturing uniquely human skills.
Real-Life Moments Beyond AI
In my teaching experience, there have been moments when AI was unable to replace human connection. For instance, when a student opens up about struggles at home, AI can’t perceive the emotional depth of the situation or offer the appropriate support. Similarly, when discussing complex topics like cultural subtleties in language, AI can provide information but cannot capture the richness and spontaneity of student insights. These moments highlight the value of human engagement in the classroom.
Strategies to Develop Human Skills
To ensure my students develop skills AI can’t replicate, I’ve incorporated classroom activities that focus on creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. For instance, I ask my education students to evaluate AI-generated lesson plans, identifying potential inaccuracies to sharpen their analytical skills. I also encourage them to think outside the box—whether it’s reimagining a story or applying language concepts to solve real-world problems. Group activities are also great for building adaptability and empathy.
Teachers can use creative strategies to foster skills that AI can’t replicate. One such strategy is reverse mentoring, where students explore an AI tool, assess its strengths and weaknesses, and then teach their peers or teachers how to use it effectively, promoting critical thinking. Another strategy is debating with AI, where an AI system generates arguments on a topic and students counter its points, enhancing their analytical and rhetorical abilities.
Lastly, the use of creative constraints can challenge students to solve problems within specific limits—such as crafting a story with only five words or using minimal materials—stimulating innovative thinking and adaptability.
Moving Forward: A Balanced Approach
AI is a powerful tool that can help us with many tasks, but it cannot replace the human qualities that make education so impactful. Our responsibility is to guide students in developing skills that AI cannot replicate. We can help students thrive in a world where humans and AI work together by focusing on creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.
How can we create lessons that nurture these skills and prepare students for the future? This question should guide us as we create meaningful learning experiences.
Author
Mennen Pearl Talibong
Talibong, PhD, is a dedicated educator from the Philippines and a faculty member at Mountain View College under the Southern Asia-Pacific Division. She specializes in teaching English, particularly in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), reflecting her passion for teaching and language education.