CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping classrooms, workplaces, and the way people think, prompting experts to urge a more intentional approach as its use becomes more widespread.
These conversations recently took center stage at Queens University of Charlotte during the Learning Society’s “AI and the Future of Everything” event.
The Learning Society is a space for national leaders to engage students and the Charlotte community on timely issues, right on the Queens campus.
What You Need To Know
Experts say artificial intelligence is developing rapidly
Technology leaders are urging people to learn more about the advances and warning about potential impacts on self-growth and connection
A North Carolina professor says the advances are reshaping how some instructors approach learning in the classroom
The AI discussions featured Nicholas Thompson, a technology and media leader who has closely tracked the evolution of artificial intelligence, and Nita Farahany, Robinson O. Everett Distinguished Professor of Law and Philosophy at Duke University.
Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, said AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, opening the door to innovation across industries.
“My view is that AI has changed more in the last two months than at any point since the initial launch in December of 2022, and the capacity to run multi-agent systems,” Thompson said.
Thompson raised concerns about how some companies are designing AI tools to feel human, potentially blurring the line between human and machine-generated content.
“We need to look at how it affects us and what folks building the tools can do to increase the upside and decrease the downside,” Thompson said. “People need to be extremely aware about the benefits and risks of the tools.”
Thompson said adaptability is key for everyone trying to navigate a growing AI world.
“You want to be more flexible, more resilient,” Thompson said. “You want to be able to pick things up more quickly.”
Farahany is the author of “The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology.”
Her research focuses on the ethical, legal and societal implications of emerging technologies.
Farahany warns overreliance on AI could weaken core competencies like creativity, decision-making and emotional connection, especially if people stop engaging fully with their own thinking.
“The more you offload to AI, particularly your executive functioning,” Farahany said. “Your ability to take on new ideas and to build your kind of sense of self and identity is something that you can lose control over if you cede too much to it.”
Farahany emphasized AI can be a powerful tool when utilized intentionally, encouraging people to use it to challenge and expand their thinking, rather than replace it.
“The real danger is when you lean into AI and stop being a thinking, resilient human as a result,” Farahany said.
Students said they are waiting to see how AI could shape future industries.
Sandhya “Sana” Konar is a biology major at Queens on the pre-medicine track.
“I aspire to become a physician,” Konar said.
Konar said she hopes the technology will accelerate drug discovery to cure diseases while preserving human-centered care.
“My hope is that even with these technologies and AI, we can integrate empathy and the one-on-one compassionate care along with emerging technologies,” Konar said.
Inside the classroom, professors are adapting.
Alexa Royden is an associate professor of political science at Queens.
Royden said AI helps streamline routine tasks that can be time-consuming.
“For instance, I’m always looking for new articles for my students to read,” Royden said. “When I get something new, I read it and throw it into AI and have them generate quiz questions. The key thing is I know the material, so I know which questions are good, which questions I can revise and make better.”
“What’s challenging is that students don’t have that expertise, so there are inherent problems with AI if you offload all your activities to it. That’s going to be a big challenge for education,” Royden said.
Royden said educators must ensure students continue to develop critical thinking skills without dependence on AI.
“We create new neural pathways when we struggle. If we’re not struggling, if we’re offloading those tasks to AI, we’re not actually learning or advancing cognitively,” Royden said.
“We still want students who are going to be amazing critical thinkers, able to communicate clearly, solve novel problems when they go out into the workforce,” Royden said.
Royden references incorporating more in-class writing and oral assessments to ensure students truly understand the materials.
“I have the space to be able to sit down with students and test their knowledge,” Royden said. “We have to come up with new ways to assess learning.”
“We have to create a culture where we value those human skills that really define us,” Royden said. “I’m hoping that as we move forward in this new environment, professors can really help their students learn what is important to keep doing and what is appropriate to turn over to AI.”
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