“The biggest threat is the longer-term problem of introducing something radical that’s super intelligent and failing to align it with human values and intentions”- Nick Bostrom.
The advent of ‘google’ and ‘apps’ has provided both patients and students access to technology. They can use this technology to question/contest the views of their clinician and teacher. Fortunately, neither ‘google’ nor the ‘app’s are yet in a position to replace the clinician/teacher. With time and as technology gets better, would artificial intelligence replace the teacher in class and the clinician in the hospital? This question is likely to gain pertinence with time.
We do not need paper and pens now as software can be used to write on. We do not need heavy books as we have ‘e’ books and pdfs. We do not need magazines as we have online magazines like ‘Buzz Desire’. Can artificial intelligence eliminate the physical need of teachers and more importantly is there a need to replace teachers? Nick Bostrom, the Swedish philosopher (and author of book ‘superintelligence’) has conveyed his words of caution against artificial intelligence “The biggest threat is the longer-term problem of introducing something radical that’s super intelligent and failing to align it with human values and intentions”.
The expert clinician/ teacher has gained knowledge through experience and has knowingly and also unconsciously imbibed attributes from teachers. The socio-economic skills and human values imparted by teachers are invaluable. It is true that with changes in our education system the teacher has become a ‘facilitator’. This change is good because the role of the ‘facilitator’ is to make the student ‘motivated and self dependent’. But should a self-dependent individual be driven by technology which as artificial and lacks humane touch and values?? The answer is clear ,artificial intelligence can supplement but never replace, physical presence of teachers and clinicians.
Modern students are digital natives. They will always require experts with experience who will help them in using and locating the digital learning resources. The best teachers care for us and inspire us to do our best. They are like our parents who take pride in our success, ignore our shortcomings, and believe that ‘we shall always overcome’. Leadership skills and human skills are best imparted by teachers. We are humans and we have and will always crave for interaction. Also, we tend to learn better in in-person environments. Students today are more and more obsessed with technology which makes them feel progressive and makes things easier for them. The teachers are also using technology for quick grading and offering recommendations on how to close the gaps in learning. A prudent approach would involve blending technology with learning. This is more likely to pay dividends. But there isn’t an iota of doubt that good teachers are like diamonds, they will always shine and be forever.
(Dr Gaurav Agnihotri)