Good call, University of Chicago. Sometimes the best classroom technology is no technology at all
If a muscle atrophies, our bodies weaken. We can’t walk very far, we can’t lift things. When your ability to think atrophies, well, that’s arguably a whole lot worse. “Cogito, ergo sum,” or — “I think, therefore I am,” as René Descartes put it. Thinking, thus, is as elemental as breathing. Universities should create the conditions for students to learn how to do it well, and the University of…
The University of Chicago has taken a forward-thinking approach to education by recognizing the detrimental effects of overreliance on artificial intelligence for academic tasks. A 2025 study conducted by researchers from MIT, Wellesley, and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design found that students who frequently use AI for writing assignments experience a decline in critical thinking skills.
These cognitive deficits can have significant ramifications, as the ability to think critically is as fundamental as breathing.
In response to these findings, the University of Chicago's Social Sciences Collegiate Division has implemented a new policy aimed at restoring a more traditional learning environment. This policy encourages students in the social sciences core curriculum to rely on their own abilities to read, write, and analyze without the assistance of AI tools.
The university's mission, as stated in a memo from Jenny Tri, is to cultivate students who can utilize both reason and specialized knowledge, preparing them to navigate life as autonomous individuals.
By encouraging students to engage in analog learning experiences, the University of Chicago is promoting a more nuanced and thoughtful educational approach. This policy shift acknowledges the potential cognitive drawbacks associated with excessive reliance on technology, and it prioritizes the development of essential critical thinking skills. As the university rightly asserts, the ultimate goal is to equip students with the mental acuity and intellectual fortitude necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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