alt Hacker NewsJonathan Haidt: AI Is the 'Neutron Bomb for Education' [video]
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what would be wrong with using AI only in /learning mode? I've used it this way before and found it even more useful than my memory of some teachers I had. If it was locked to this mode and you could not just generate answers I don't see the harm.
AI merely exposes the inherent flaws in how we do education (exams, especially failure) - which I personally and honestly don't have a solution for. Both the carrot and the stick rip out some of the gold that is human potential (while instilling some useful skills and behavior).
The knee-jerk reaction of banning AI is probably the wrong choice, people need to learn where the limits are, but I also wouldn't be able to suggest a framework where students aren't rewarded for skirting around being educated.
This video is 40 minutes. Could someone summarize Haidt’s view?
Haidt generally has very interesting opinions but I don’t have time to listen to this this morning unfortunately.
No, it isn't
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Haidt doesn't have the greatest track record[1] when it comes to diagnosing society's ills, but in this case he does appear to be on the right side:
https://infographics.economist.com/2026/20260822_WOC963/
https://infographics.economist.com/2026/20260822_WOC965/
https://infographics.economist.com/2026/20260822_WOC839/
For most kids, AI is a detriment, but for a minority (smartest? most self motivated?) it's a boost.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Anxious_Generation#Academi...
Just like other "inferior replacements", many people aren't getting the real thing at all and the fake version is better than nothing.