I got your letter…from the postman just the other daaa-aaay, so I decided to write you this so-ooonngg.  C’mon.  Sing it with me.  And just to let you know….Ex-Actly the way I fee-eel, to let you know my love for reeeaaal.  If you listened to Rick Dees’ Weekly Top 40, you might recall that Stevie B topped the charts with this one circa 1991.  The song is “Because I Love You.”  Also known as the Postman Song, it’s just timeless. 

If Stevie B wrote that song, or if someone wrote it for him to sing – it is pretty safe to say that artificial intelligence, a.k.a. AI, had no part in it.  We hear daily how AI has been transformative across numerous sectors, with our schools in the not-an-exception category. While AI has the potential to assist in the learning process greatly, I am really concerned about its potential to diminish the creative and critical thinking skills of children. At the heart of this concern is the fear that reliance on AI for writing and imagination could undermine the development of these essential skills.

Look at me tonight.  The very reason that I am writing this blog post is because I opened my mailbox this evening to find a real letter from a real human being.  It was handwritten with honest thoughts, with ink from an actual pen… three different pens, and when I read it…in my head, I could hear a voice.  When did you last go to your mailbox and find something other than a bill, an advertisement, or some other type of spam on paper?  A new product will soon be at Home Depot – a mailbox with a garbage can attached.  We can cut out the middleman and let the postman toss the catalogs on our behalf.    

Creativity and critical thinking are cornerstones of intellectual development. The ability to write how we feel to articulate complex emotions and thoughts is integral to personal growth and communication. Moreover, making comparisons and contrasts is not just a writing exercise but a fundamental way to evaluate choices and form opinions. If AI tools are used excessively, our littles might bypass the challenging yet developmental process of organizing and expressing their thoughts in their own words.

However, this isn't to say that AI doesn't have a place in education. When used judiciously, it can provide personalized learning experiences and can help students overcome challenges such as writer's block or provide a framework for structuring their thoughts. The key is balance and ensuring that AI is a tool for enhancement rather than a crutch that stunts growth.

Teachers can design assignments that require original thought, things AI may not quickly complete. Encouraging activities like debates, personalized storytelling, and journaling can nurture a child’s innate ability to think divergently. Projects that require a hands-on approach, group collaboration, and real-world problem-solving can also keep the creative spark alive. 

Try this…smell and eat a square of the creamy, crunchy goodness found in a Cadbury with roasted almonds.  Now, write five sentences about your experience.  Don’t go asking AI what Cadbury tastes like.  AI has no tastebuds.  Then, in interpersonal communications, when Luca writes his first love note, I want him to write it from his heart – not an app on his phone.  Who remembers sitting in study hall writing notes to their sweethearts?  I do.

Incorporating lessons on digital literacy is also crucial. Students must understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI, developing a critical eye toward computer-generated content. By teaching children to question and challenge the output of AI, we foster a healthy doubt that is the bedrock of critical thinking.

Lastly, later this week, I have a meeting with some folks about setting guidelines for AI use in classrooms, ensuring that while we prepare students for a tech-centric future, we do not compromise on developing their uniquely human capacities for creativity and critical thinking. By taking these proactive steps, we hope to harness the power of AI without letting it diminish the creative faculties of our kids.