Why read when we have AI summaries? — Yong Xin Jie

October 14 - In the age of artificial intelligence, summarising lengthy texts and video content has become a mere click away. While students may see this as a time-saver, educators, parents, and guardians must be wary of the consequences. The convenience of AI-generated summaries is eroding our attention spans, which have already been strained by the constant barrage of short-form social media content.

Reading has evolved from a simple way to access records to a profound form of intellectual entertainment. However, the act of deep reading, which engages our brains in ways that mere consumption cannot, is gradually fading away. When we rely on AI summaries, we surrender our ability to engage with the material on a deeper level. We lose the opportunity to challenge our preconceptions, recognise cultural nuances, and sharpen our critical thinking skills.

Deep reading is not merely about speed; it is about engagement. Our brains process information differently when we actively participate in the reading process. We form our thoughts, reorganise them, and grapple with complex ideas. When we hand over this responsibility to AI, we lose more than just a few minutes of our day. We forgo the chance to develop the logic behind our thoughts and the ability to justify our choices.

The ability to condense information is valuable, but it is only the beginning. True reading mastery involves transitioning thoughts seamlessly, forming independent conclusions, and honing our critical thinking abilities. When we allow AI to do the thinking for us, we forfeit these essential skills. The effort required to understand a challenging text builds cognitive stamina, a crucial aspect of intellectual growth.

In the digital age, we have the opportunity to explore new ideas and perspectives from around the world. However, if we continue to live in an AI bubble, we risk losing the unique human capacity for deep comprehension and critical analysis. To truly master AI, we must first master our own focus and thoughts.