The AI Revolution in Education: A Professor's Surprising Shift

A Stanford professor found himself at a crossroads when AI started to change how students learn and are tested.

The Evolving Landscape

He teaches computer science, a field that's always evolving. But when AI tools like GPT-3 and GPT-4 became popular, he noticed a big shift. Students began to question their roles in a world where AI could do so much.

At first, it felt like an "existential crisis" for them. They wondered what their purpose would be if AI could handle research and other tasks.

The Unexpected Solution

Then, something unexpected happened. The students and teaching assistants suggested a change in how they were tested. They wanted to go back to old-school paper exams.

This was a big change. Before, the professor's classes used open-book, take-home exams. Students could use books and the internet, but not other people's code. With AI tools becoming more advanced, they realized they needed a different way to test knowledge.

The New Normal

Now, the professor and his team spend more time grading these paper exams. It's more work, but they believe it's the best way to truly test what students know. The professor insists on hand-grading every exam, even though it's a lot of extra work.

The Bigger Debate

This shift is part of a bigger debate about how AI is changing education. Some schools are banning AI outright, while others are turning back to traditional testing methods. The professor sees AI as a powerful tool, but one that needs to be used carefully.

He compares AI to a calculator. Just like calculators, AI can be a helpful tool, but it's not perfect. The key is learning how to use it effectively and understanding its limitations.

Rethinking Education

The professor is also thinking about the bigger picture. What skills will be important in a world where AI is everywhere? He believes that human skills, like critical thinking and domain expertise, will be more valuable than ever. He thinks we need to rethink how we teach and train people to work with AI.

The Early Stages

When asked about the current state of AI in education and the workforce, the professor says we're still in the early stages. We're just starting to figure out how to use AI effectively. He sees solutions like hand-graded exams as part of this process.