I’ve never been one to shy away from technology. In fact, as an angel investor and an IVF specialist, I often find myself at the intersection of innovation and human experience. But when it comes to my kids’ education, I find myself growing increasingly wary of the over-reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a teaching tool. It’s not that I don’t see the potential benefits — I do. But I’ve also seen enough educational “innovations” come and go to recognize the difference between a shiny new gadget and a truly transformative tool.
Consider the interactive whiteboards that promised to revolutionize classrooms but ended up gathering dust as overpriced projectors. Or the clickers that were supposed to make lessons engaging but quickly became obsolete with the rise of apps and smartphones. These were well-intentioned innovations, but they often failed because they didn’t address real educational needs or lacked the proper support for effective implementation.
AI, undeniably, has the potential to transform education in ways we are only beginning to understand. It can save time, enhance creativity, and meet learners at their level. Yet, I find myself asking: at what cost? Are we unwittingly allowing AI to replace critical thinking and problem-solving skills with convenience? In my household, I’ve made a conscious decision to teach my kids to use AI as a tool, not a crutch.
When my daughter was asked why she doesn’t rely on ChatGPT to create a logo for her business, her response was music to my ears: “Because if it does it for me, I won’t know how to do it later when I’m a grown-up.” This was more than just a proud parenting moment; it was a reaffirmation of my belief that while AI can assist in learning, it should never replace the fundamental process of learning how to learn.
Our family treats AI like a calculator or a search engine — it’s there to assist, not to replace. My daughter has used ChatGPT to learn coding for a chatbot and to understand design principles for her website. But crucially, she uses it to learn what to do, not to do it for her. This distinction is vital. AI is prone to errors, and without a foundational understanding of the subject, it’s nearly impossible to spot these mistakes.
The education system in India, much like elsewhere, is grappling with how best to integrate AI into the classroom. There is an understandable fear that students might misuse these tools or that they will become overly reliant on them. But the risk of misuse increases dramatically if we fail to teach students how to use AI ethically and effectively. Just as calculators didn’t make math obsolete, AI won’t render critical thinking irrelevant. It will, however, change how we approach these skills.
The key is to prepare our kids for this shift. If we don’t have these conversations now, they’ll learn from whoever or whatever they stumble across first. And that might not be the lesson we want them to learn. At home, we have open discussions about AI’s pros and cons, from its potential impact on independent thinking to the environmental costs of running these technologies. We emphasize that everything has a cost, even if it’s not immediately visible.
In practical terms, this means setting boundaries around how and when AI is used. We’ve implemented privacy and security controls to prevent platforms like ChatGPT from using our data for training. We discuss the importance of fact-checking information and the fine line between using AI as a learning tool and crossing into academic dishonesty.
I am not suggesting that everyone should adopt our approach. But I do believe that as parents and educators, we have a responsibility to guide the next generation in navigating this brave new world. AI is here to stay, and its role in education will only grow. But we must ensure it complements learning rather than dictating it.
Ultimately, this is about instilling a sense of curiosity and a love for learning in our children. It’s about teaching them to think critically and to question the world around them. It’s about preparing them for a future where technology will play an ever-increasing role, but where human ingenuity and creativity will remain irreplaceable.
In my experience, whether it’s in the clinic, the boardroom, or the classroom, the greatest innovations stem from a deep understanding of the problem and a willingness to explore new solutions. AI can be a part of that journey, but it should never be the destination. Let’s teach our kids to see it as a tool to amplify their strengths, not replace them. For me, that’s the real lesson.