AI in studies is like a gun: useful if used well, harmful if misused, says Dr Vinod Sharma

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important part of studies today. Students use it to gather information, get articles prepared, understand different subjects and do research. It makes many tasks easier, but the question is whether dependence on AI can weaken children's ability to think, remember and understand a subject. Could children lose the habit of thinking for themselves when they get ready-made answers?

On these questions, Dr Vinod Sharma says AI is by itself neither wholly beneficial nor harmful. Its effect depends on how it is used. AI can be a good tool in studies, but it is essential to teach children to use it properly.

According to Dr Sharma, AI can help a great deal in studies. It can be used to gather various kinds of information, develop new ideas and do many other tasks.

He compared AI to a gun. According to him, a gun can be used for danger as well as for protection, depending on who is using it and for what purpose. Similarly, proper use of AI gives benefit, while misuse can cause harm.

Critical thinking does not mean accepting everything as it is. It means understanding the reasoning behind it, asking questions and examining different aspects. It involves going beyond common answers to understand the subject well and reach the right conclusion. According to Dr Sharma, to develop critical thinking in children, the habit of learning and thinking on their own is necessary.

If children start taking the answer to every question directly from AI, they will not get the chance to think for themselves and analyse the subject. He said that when someone has to write something and AI hands over a ready article, or an answer to a question is available instantly, the need for a person to think diminishes. In such a situation, developing critical thinking can become difficult.

According to Dr Vinod Sharma, the process of remembering works like exercise. Just as stopping physical activity affects the body, giving up the practice of recalling affects the memory process too. He explained that several things play an important role in remembering any information, such as interest, emotional and visual association, creativity and reasoning. Through this process information gets connected to the mind and helps in remembering.

If children get ready answers to every question and do not need to remember or repeat information themselves, the practice of remembering will also decline. In that case, unnecessary dependence on AI can affect their natural memory.

Distraction during studies is also a big problem for students. Children often stay focused for long while watching cartoons or television, but even a small sound breaks their attention while studying. According to Dr Sharma, concentration is also linked to how much interest the child has in the subject at hand. They focus more on what interests them, and find it hard to concentrate on a subject they have no interest in. He said that if studies are made enjoyable with the help of AI and children get interesting content, it can help them concentrate. AI can thus also be used to make studies more engaging.

Dr Sharma says the use of digital platforms and online media is necessary for children. They can help in getting information and learning. However, these media can be used both rightly and wrongly. He said that along with AI, it is also necessary to develop children's own understanding and practical sense. It is important for children to become sensible as well as smart. If they become fully dependent on technology, it could affect their learning process. AI or digital platforms should therefore be used wisely.

According to Dr Sharma, there are some basic tasks in studies that children should do themselves. These include reading the subject, remembering information, analysing it and thinking practically. Children should get the chance to write, understand and use their imagination on their own. In studies, along with acquiring information, it is also important to understand it and make it part of one's own knowledge. On the other hand, AI and digital platforms can be used as an aid to research, get information and understand subjects.