6 Ways That Humans Are Different Than AI (And Why it Matters to Schools)

Artificial Intelligence is seemingly everywhere and developing at a blistering pace. In the months and years to come AI systems (like ChatGPT) will only become more powerful and our students will undoubtedly be accessing them on their home networks and cell phones. Thus, schools are facing the distinct challenge of trying to teach children to be productive citizens in a complex technological society. This means that schools need to construct a framework for understanding what artificial intelligence is, what it can and cannot do, and how instruction will equip students with skills needed to thrive in an AI-impacted society.

unsplash-image-qmnpqDwla_E.jpg

For all its remarkable advances, we know that AI cannot match humans in some very significant ways. Yes, AI can perform certain advanced tasks more efficiently than humans, but it lacks the unique qualities that make us human. Identifying and leveraging these human qualities are key steps in shaping purposeful and productive instructional environments for our students.

Here are six human qualities that AI is unable to match:

1. Creativity

AI systems cannot handle completely novel situations. When presented with something that does not fit into their algorithmic patterns, AI systems cannot operate outside of their predetermined rules and come up with creative solutions. Humans, on the other hand, are excellent at adapting our behavior to the world before us. We are innovators. Over hundreds of thousands of years humans have been able to adapt to almost any new environment and thrive in most situations. “Being creative,” writes creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson, “is at the heart of being human and of all cultural progress.” Unlike AI, humans have the ability to use their experience, intuition and feelings to think through a problem. Humans have the capacity to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to come up with innovative solutions to a variety of new problems. This flexibility allows us to adapt to changing scenarios, making us better suited to dealing with unexpected scenarios.

2. Empathy

AI is not sentient. AI is certainly capable of displaying certain behaviors, but it cannot experience emotions since it lacks a sense of emotion. Ultimately, AI may be able to replicate the outward expression of emotion, but it will never be able to truly comprehend the complex nuances of a person's feelings. And since AI is unable to understand the emotional implications of its decisions, it does not have the capacity for empathy. It can only analyze data and make decisions based on what it has been taught and programmed to do. AI is essentially a sophisticated tool, however it cannot replicate the human capacity for emotion, empathy and understanding. It is unable to build meaningful relationships with people. Artificial Intelligence lacks awareness of itself and its surroundings, so it does not possess the social skills and competencies needed to effectively understand human beings.

3. Morality

AI does not possess a sense of morality or a conscience, making it impossible for it to make truly ethical decisions. AI lacks the capacity to understand context and has no moral compass. It simply lacks an understanding of what is right and what is wrong. AI does not possess the complexity of a human brain and consciousness, which enables us to make decisions based on our own moral values and beliefs. AI is simply incapable of understanding the nuances of human behavior. Humans are able to make decisions based on their own morality and sense of right and wrong, whereas AI is limited to a pre-defined set of rules and parameters.

4. Intuition

Humans can understand or know something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning or analytical thought. Often a "gut feeling" or sense of knowing, it arises deep within our subconscious mind. AI, on the other hand, relies on data, algorithms, and explicit instructions to make decisions. AI can process vast amounts of data and perform complex calculations. However, it lacks the emotional intelligence and contextual understanding that human intuition provides. Human intuition draws from a deep well of knowledge and understanding that AI cannot access and is closely linked to our emotions and past experiences. This gives us an edge when it comes to making decisions with incomplete or unclear information. Humans can draw on our emotional intelligence and experience to fill in the gaps. At best, AI systems can only mimic human intuition.

5. Problem-Solving

Human cognition involves complex, intuitive, and holistic processing of information, whereas AI relies on computational and rule-based processing. Human problem-solving is shaped by a range of factors, such as culture, emotions, and personal experiences, whereas AI has no subjective experiences and is not influenced by external factors. Human problem-solving can be messy and non-linear and humans are able to make decisions based on incomplete or ambiguous information. AI lacks the ability to think abstractly and to draw conclusions from complex data sets that involve multiple layers of meaning and context. This lack of abstract thinking limits AI's capacity to make decisions that are in line with human values.

6.Physical Knowledge and Understanding

Humans interact with the physical world through our senses, such as touch, sight, and hearing. We use our physical senses to gather information about our surroundings and learn how objects and systems interact and behave in the physical world. This information enables us to navigate and interact with the world effectively. In contrast, AI lacks any tangible knowledge and understanding. Our human ability to engage with the physical world through our senses allows us to develop a much deeper understanding of how the physical world works than AI.

—--

Schools can emphasize these uniquely human characteristics to nurture learning environments that are purposeful and productive. This involves helping students develop a range of skills and competencies that maximize their cognitive flexibility and social-emotional competencies and learn how to leverage the work of machines. 

To begin, schools should focus on teaching students critical thinking and problem-solving skills. AI can assist humans by processing large amounts of data and providing recommendations, while humans can provide context, intuition, and creativity to tackle complex problems. By emphasizing interdisciplinary skills in the curriculum, schools could help prepare students for situations that require collaboration and problem-solving across different fields. Such an approach can help generate what Harvard Fellow Tony Wagner terms “a culture of innovation”— a learning environment that encourages students to be the kind of adaptive, flexible thinkers essential for today’s cognitively demanding and competitive society. Our world needs creative problem solvers who can come up with original ideas, services, and perspectives in addition to addressing the world’s challenges in fresh, innovative ways.

Next, schools should focus on developing students' emotional intelligence and empathy. One approach is integrating CASEL's Fundamentals of SEL in which students "acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. ” By teaching students how to understand and relate to others, schools can help prepare students for situations that require working with people in a variety of contexts.

In addition, schools should emphasize the importance of ethics and moral reasoning. By teaching students about ethics and moral reasoning, schools can help prepare them to make informed decisions and act as responsible citizens. For instance, schools can incorporate ethical decision-making exercises into the curriculum, such as having students debate and discuss the ethical implications of using AI in various contexts.

Finally, schools can help students develop their physical knowledge and understanding by providing them with hands-on learning experiences. This might include conducting experiments, engaging in physical activities, or working on projects that involve building or creating real objects. By engaging in these types of activities, students can develop a deeper understanding of the physical world and gain practical skills that can be applied in a range of contexts.

Overall, preparing students to live and work in a complex AI technological landscape requires a thoughtful and multifaceted approach. Schools can prepare students for a world that is increasingly shaped by AI by providing them with a human-centered approach that leverages our uniquely human competencies to guide us.