GenAI vs. Calculators?
During a seminar at the Speinshart Scientific Center, an interesting question came up:
How does the introduction of GenAI in schools compare to the introduction of calculators?
In the 1980s, calculators were met with strong resistance. Teachers feared students would stop learning how to calculate themselves. Today, calculators are introduced after students learn the basics. They reduce time spent on “mechanical” computation and free up cognitive space for more complex tasks such as modeling, reasoning, and problem-solving. Instead of dismissing concerns about GenAI in education, it might be worth learning from this history. There is value in learning things “the hard way” first, and only then automating the tedious work.
The same applies to programming. Some people claim that one doesn’t need to learn programming anymore because GenAI will automate it away. While I agree that being able to write code is no longer the most valuable skill by itself, there is still value in understanding the underlying concepts, critically reflecting on AI output, and, as in the calculator example, focusing on modeling and reasoning while routine tasks are automated.
Update: Check out the comments on LinkedIn. Some good points and interesting feedback.
Image source: @Koreanteacher1 on X