The Cost of Convenience: When AI Replaces Thinking

This morning, I'm writing a lesson for a writing workshop that I'm giving in acouple of weeks. For this literary training, I read a beautiful passage, annotated along the way. I did the thinking, questioning, and prewriting that we teach students to do before they write their drafts -- their interpretations.

As I opened the Word document, what popped up was "Copilot," and it made me sick -- not for adults, who can already think -- I see the benefit for adults in certain situations -- although I immediately deleted it because I want to create my own sentences. Rather, I'm worried for children, teenagers, and college students who are still developing thinking skills through age 26.

Writing is about thinking. As difficult as it may be for most people -- myself included, at times -- it teaches thinking skills.

Just as cell phones in children's hands has proven to be detrimental to their mental and social development, I am convinced that "Copilot" and"ChatGPT" and other AI formats, such as these, are going to create a generation of lazy non-thinkers, and quell the creative writers and thinkers of the future.

For me, this rainy morning, I am excited to write my thoughts down about thispassage. And I want to instill that passion into teachers and their students -- to guide them to explore their thoughts -- their own thoughts and ideas with words and phrases they create -- not those of Copilot who has no name or identity or uniqueness.

From this English language arts teacher of thirty-six years and passionate writer, I humbly beseech the parents out there, please do not let your children take the easy way out by allowing them to write with AI. Let's build their cognitive and creative skills first.