Rokan's Journal

-HRM Rokan Uddin

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept confined to research laboratories. It is a rapidly evolving technology that has permeated nearly every aspect of modern life—healthcare, business, transportation, defense, and especially education. With its remarkable ability to analyze vast amounts of data, automate tasks, and generate creative outputs, AI is transforming how we live, work, and learn. However, like any powerful tool, AI brings both opportunities and risks. In the field of education and among the young generation, the challenge is not just about utilizing AI, but about ensuring its responsible and controlled use to safeguard creativity, integrity, and critical thinking.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think, learn, and make decisions. AI systems can: Recognize speech and images, analyze large datasets to find patterns, generate text, images, and even music and provide instant answers and solutions to complex problems. AI applications range from digital assistants like Siri and Alexa to advanced platforms like ChatGPT, machine learning-based medical diagnostics, and autonomous vehicles.

AI in Education: The Double-Edged Sword

Positive Applications for AI in Education

Personalized learning through AI allows educational tools to adapt to each student’s individual pace, strengths, and weaknesses. AI-powered platforms analyze performance data, track progress, and adjust lesson difficulty, offering more examples for weaker areas and condensing topics a student has mastered. By tailoring lessons to different learning styles—visual, auditory, or interactive—AI ensures a customized educational experience rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Accessibility is another area where AI is revolutionizing education, particularly for students with disabilities. Text-to-speech systems help visually impaired students access reading materials, while speech-to-text tools support those with hearing impairments by converting spoken language into written text in real time. AI-powered translation and captioning remove language barriers, and virtual classrooms bring quality education to remote areas, ensuring equal opportunities for all learners.

Research and knowledge access have become faster and more efficient thanks to AI. Tasks that once took days or weeks, such as locating relevant academic papers, analyzing data, or gathering background information, can now be completed in seconds. AI filters vast amounts of data, extracts key insights, and suggests reliable sources, allowing students to focus more on understanding and applying knowledge rather than spending excessive time on information gathering.

Automation of routine tasks helps educators dedicate more time to teaching and mentoring. AI-assisted grading systems can quickly and fairly evaluate assignments, quizzes, and essays, while attendance tracking, progress reporting, and scheduling are handled automatically. This frees teachers to invest more energy in creative lesson planning, personalized student support, and fostering critical thinking skills—areas where human guidance remains irreplaceable.

Negative Impacts and Risks

Cheating and academic dishonesty have become easier with AI tools that can generate complete essays, solve complex problems, or prepare projects instantly. Students who submit AI-generated work bypass the learning process, misrepresent their capabilities, and undermine the fairness of academic evaluation. Such practices threaten the credibility of educational qualifications and reduce trust between students and educators.

Loss of creativity and critical thinking occurs when students over-rely on AI for solutions. Creativity thrives through brainstorming, trial and error, and exploring different perspectives, while critical thinking grows from evaluating evidence and forming independent conclusions. When AI provides ready-made answers, students skip these vital processes, weakening their problem-solving abilities and reducing their readiness for real-world challenges.

Erosion of integrity happens when academic achievements are based on AI-generated work rather than the student’s own effort. This undermines the values of honesty and fairness, giving an unfair advantage to those who cheat and devaluing the accomplishments of honest students. Over time, normalizing such behavior fosters a culture where cutting corners becomes acceptable, damaging both professional ethics and societal trust.

The Core Problem: Integrity and Self-Discipline

Many experts argue that students should be trained for “responsible AI use.” While this is an ideal approach, not all individuals have the same level of self-control or ethical commitment. Just as unrestricted internet access can lead to misuse, AI’s potential for abuse in education is high. For example: A student may use AI to write an essay entirely without understanding the topic. Project presentations may be generated by AI tools with minimal student input. AI-based tutoring might be used to bypass actual study and preparation.

Controlling AI’s Negative Impact in Education

The solution lies not in banning AI altogether but in implementing strict regulations and safeguards, so it remains a tool for learning, not a shortcut.

On-site, supervised testing should be mandatory for major exams, with handwritten responses to ensure authenticity. This prevents unauthorized AI use and evaluates the student’s actual knowledge.

Clear guidelines for AI use in assignments must be enforced. AI should be permitted for research and reference, but assignments must include a personal analysis section written entirely by the student, which AI cannot generate.

Oral verification (viva) can confirm a student’s understanding of AI-assisted work. By asking spontaneous questions, teachers can assess whether the student truly comprehends the topic.

AI detection and plagiarism tools should be regularly used to identify AI-generated content and copied material, with software updated frequently to keep pace with technological advancements.

AI Ethics is essential. Students must be taught why originality matters, how over-dependence on AI can harm their abilities, and the importance of maintaining integrity in academic work.

Safeguarding Creativity and Critical Thinking

The greatest danger of unchecked AI use is that it may replace original thought. Students learn best when they face challenges, make mistakes, and develop solutions themselves. AI should be positioned as: A guide to supplement understanding, not a replacement for thinking. A research assistant to provide raw material, leaving interpretation and analysis to the student. A collaboration tool that sparks ideas, not a crutch to bypass effort.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence will continue to expand in influence and capability. Its impact on the young generation and education will depend entirely on how we choose to integrate it. The answer lies in controlled, supervised, and ethical usage—balancing technological progress with the preservation of human creativity, problem-solving skills, and integrity.

If we fail to act now, we risk creating a generation of learners who can access all the answers but lack the ability to think, innovate, or lead. If we succeed, AI will not weaken education, it will strengthen it, preparing students for a future where technology and human ingenuity work hand in hand.