AI tutors risk raising 'idiots,' warns expert

AI's increasing presence in education poses a significant challenge to preserving critical thinking skills. By 2025, AI assistance in student assignments, including essays and dissertations, rose to 24%, with nearly a quarter of Russian pupils admitting to using AI for homework, and others out of boredom.

Experts warn that this reliance on AI risks diminishing children's intellectual development and motivation, potentially creating a generation unable to formulate original thoughts. One IT pioneer controversially stated that Russia risks raising "a generation of complete idiots" if AI is not integrated thoughtfully.

Instead of attempting to ban AI, a more constructive approach involves teaching students how to use these tools intelligently. Similar to how calculators were integrated after basic math skills were established, AI should supplement, not replace, fundamental thinking processes like reading, writing, and critical analysis.

Ultimately, the human element—living contact, genuine conversation, and emotional engagement—remains irreplaceable by AI. Addressing teacher shortages and bureaucracy is crucial to restoring the authority of educators and fostering an environment where AI serves as a supportive tool rather than a shortcut to learning.