In the Era of AI, Students Need Critical Thinking Skills
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The digital age has profoundly changed the world we live in. The good news is; thanks to the opportunities offered by the increasingly digital information age, the job market is now dominated by advanced technology and automation. The bad news, however, is low and medium level repetitive jobs that are now possible through RPAs will be cut out. And the most worrisome is that most students are not well-prepared to face the challenges of this new market due to inadequate training in critical thinking, collaborative, creative and communication skills.
Opportunities offered by the digital age
Through new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet, it is now possible to access all kinds of content, at any time and at any place. Thanks to this development, users can now search for information, news and employment opportunities of all kinds in the online world. They can easily accomplish various tasks that were previously done manually.
Although many of the characteristics of the contemporary era are very beneficial, especially the enormous educational advantages, it is also necessary to highlight the risks and challenges that the new technologies pose. These risks are associated with the inappropriate use of technology or the lack of one of the most important social skills of today’s age: critical thinking.
Access to a large amount of information can help students have a higher level of education. At the same time, it is also responsible for increased misinformation among students. In fact, a study conducted by Stanford University in 2016 reveals the dimensions of disinformation. This study shows that 4 out of 10 students believed a false story as true before even discovering that it did not have references, regarding its author or form of creation.
The importance of critical thinking
Critical thinking is the process of analyzing individual opinions or statements before considering them as true. That is, it involves taking a critical stance by using literacy skills such as logic, sound arguments, and the ability to understand perspectives before making assumptions or coming to a resolution.
These are some of the soft skills that most companies demand today because they understand that professionals capable of thinking critically can bring innovation to organizations and avoid risks which are typical of the online world.
Impact of critical thinking on the future of education
There’s a need for us to redefine education to adapt it to the demands of the digital era and help students build an increasingly connected world. Educating students in critical thinking means instilling the ability to make decisions, conduct in-depth analysis and evaluate the information received, without accepting what is accepted socially as true.
Conclusion
Critical thinking skill is not only necessary in the workplace, but also in everyday life. In an age full of false information and algorithms that do not rely on users’ input, thinking critically is key to achieving better use of digital resources. We need to train our students to get ready for the challenge ahead of them.