Why AI Will Never Replace a Human in Education

Automation has replaced many jobs. In 1800, 83 percent of the US population worked in agriculture. In 2020, it was about 1.3 percent. In 1910, 32 percent of the US population worked in manufacturing. In 2015, it was 8.7 percent. But skilled jobs, we are told, can never be replaced by automation, no matter how sophisticated. As an academic, I worry about being replaced by an AI agent. However, being taught by a human can be better than being taught by AI. Here's a list of reasons:

1. Flexibility and adaptation: A professor can adapt their teaching style and approach to the specific needs and learning styles of their students. They can also modify their lessons based on student feedback and questions, making the learning experience more personalized and interactive. In contrast, AI may not be able to adapt to every individual's learning needs and may not have the flexibility to adjust their teaching style in real-time.
2. Emotional intelligence: Professors are humans and can recognize and respond to emotional cues from their students. They can provide support and encouragement to students who are struggling and can help build their confidence. AI, on the other hand, may not be able to detect or respond to emotional signals from students, which could lead to frustration or disengagement.
3. Creativity and critical thinking: Professors can inspire creativity and critical thinking in their students by presenting complex ideas and challenging students to think outside the box. They can also encourage debate and discussion in the classroom, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter. AI, however, may be limited in its ability to promote creativity and critical thinking since it is designed to follow predetermined algorithms and may not be able to provide the same level of nuance and complexity as human instructors.
4. Mentorship and networking: Professors can serve as mentors to their students, providing guidance and advice beyond the classroom. They can also connect students with industry professionals and potential employers, which can lead to career opportunities. AI, however, cannot provide the same level of mentorship or networking opportunities as human instructors.
5. Human connection: Finally, human connection is an essential component of the learning experience. Students can form relationships with their professors, which can lead to a sense of belonging and community. In contrast, AI may not be able to provide the same level of human connection and may leave students feeling isolated or disconnected.

In conclusion, while AI has its benefits in certain areas of education, such as providing personalized feedback and scaling access to education, the unique qualities of human instructors, such as adaptability, emotional intelligence, creativity, critical thinking, mentorship, and human connection, make them a valuable part of the educational experience that cannot be replaced by AI.

For those who have read this far, thank you. As a treat, I will reveal to you a secret. Everything from point 1 to "cannot be replaced by AI" was written by ChatGPT. As the meme goes, I for one, welcome our new computer overlords!

(Back to Japan-related stuff next time)