It’s time to rethink learning in the age of artificial intelligence

It’s time to rethink learning in the age of artificial intelligence

Thank you to David de Carvalho for his piece (“‘We don’t need no education’: schooling in the age of AI”, 20-21/5) about the world of AI and the need to replace the characterisation of schooling with something older and more human – that is, to form true human beings by cultivating virtues and wisdom.

Before the rise of the Enlightenment education was chiefly about human formation and enculturation. It wasn’t dictated by “method”, there was no “science” of learning. It was about reading the great books, having rich conversations, speaking with eloquence (rhetoric), writing well (grammar and logic), appreciating music and art, developing good etiquette, reading poetry, going on nature walks.

There were no “subjects”. The student was not a number but a person. In The Abolition of Man, CS Lewis reminds readers that humans need to be educated mind, body and soul. Fast-forward to 2023 and how much we have lost?

Kon Bouzikos, Yarraville, Vic

There is an obvious need for the dots to be joined in the discussion on AI and the dilution of academic qualifications, viz: competency and productivity. Much space has recently been allocated in The Australian to the rise and deleterious impact of AI in the education system.

Similarly we are overwhelmed with reports on the need to lift productivity for economic growth and at the same time it is reported that over 70 per cent of GDP is now generated by the services sector. The services sector is dominated by professional services. The professional services organisations required tertiary-qualified staff.

It has become increasingly evident for some considerable time now that graduates often filling these positions lack the level of competency required to meet the expected levels of productivity. Does this issue lie at the feet of our universities, which are now driven by commercial imperatives, or the laissez faire attitude of the students?

Probably both, as stories abound of student “academic misconduct” (blatant plagiarism and cheating even in elite courses), with academic teaching staff powerless to effectively intervene. Are we now ready to accept that assessment by written examination wasn’t such a bad idea?

Terry Walmsley, Benowa, Qld

David de Carvalho rightly raises concerns about the temptations of AI in education. I suggest we have every assessment task written by hand under exam-like conditions in classrooms. But as usual, the simple and effective solutions will be ignored.

Peter Fleming, Northmead, NSW

Energy anxiety

While Anthony Albanese assures Japan that we will remain a reliable supplier of energy, it’s a different matter at home. Anxiety about energy reliability and the ever increasing costs of power is a growing domestic issue. Governments can’t wait for coal-fired power stations to close.

No one is talking about increasing our domestic supplies of gas. The only bizarre discussion is about constructing gas import facilities. A gas peaking plant wasn’t ready to operate when Liddell closed. Nor would state ministers agree to gas being included as part of a safety net capacity mechanism. The long-awaited Narrabri gas project is heading the way of Snowy 2.0. All transition projects are overtime and overbudget. While we’re happy to export our coal, gas and iron ore to Japan and China, and use the export dollars to prop up budgets, virtue-signalling is the norm here. Our comparative advantage in cheap and reliable energy is eroding. It’s not only Japan requiring assurances about Australia’s future energy trajectory.

Jennie George, Mollymook, NSW

I recently saw Energy Minister Chris Bowen on television talking about the future of solar energy at a large solar farm. I think it is time our government ministers and the public are given realistic data on solar and wind, and the realistic cost of backup generators to deliver the 24/7 reliability that our regulators stipulate for the electricity network, and customers expect. Solar and wind have a useful place in our world, but our electricity regulators require power supply reliability of 99.9 per cent for industry, commercial and community customers. That level cannot be maintained if we rely on solar and wind. Batteries and pumped hydro also require reliable backup energy each day to recharge and pump water back to the top storage for use during the next peak, or the next cloudy day when solar does not deliver.

Dave Asten, New Town, Tas

It’s certainly great news that the US and Australia have signed an agreement to work more closely together relating to clean energy, climate change and critical minerals. There is no doubt that the massive earnings derived from exporting coal are important but, as scientists have been warning us now for many years, the use of coal simply has to be removed from the energy mix as a matter of urgency.

Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank, SA