Opinion: ChatGPT fuels learner insecurity – Niner Times
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Updated: September 8, 2025 @ 3:53 pm
There is a rising temptation to copy that essay prompt into that Large Language Model (LLM) textbox, which many simply know as ChatGPT (OpenAI-owned) or other models that fly in and out of the trendy tech space, like Google’s Gemini or Liang Wenfeng’s DeepSeek.
If not an essay, then paste a math problem, a resume or a task that requires the complex thought of a human being to get back a generic answer.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be an efficient tool to increase productivity, utilizing mathematical trends to produce average responses, but that productivity comes at the expense of the prime emotional and mental learning conditions that students require.
An example would be Reddit user Informal-Yard7336’s take that AI increased their ability to do market research, code, game and write long-form content. However, this comes with the assumption that without AI, this Reddit user would not be able to do it all.
Industries seek not to resolve the root of why AI is infecting every facet of daily life. This is driven by the insatiable need for inhuman productivity and a socio-economic system focused on currency rather than happiness.
For example, Bhutan is a country that uses a happiness index to measure society’s growth and success. There is recognition that there is more to life than maximum productivity at sustainability’s expense, and active dialogue to integrate this concept throughout the country.
Instead, AI has become a band-aid to ignore the unrealistic expectations of human efficiency alongside the devaluation of the average person’s contribution to society.
Another Redditor, cheesomacitis, shared a story detailing that AI took their occupation of a Spanish-to-English translator after 20 years, highlighting the “easy-to-replace” attitude regarding human work.
Many students face this issue. The pressure to keep up academically supersedes their ability to learn and value their work effectively. Systems centered on quantity over quality: massive lecture halls, poorly organized classrooms and underfunded staff, highlight that the value of American higher education is in getting students in and out, not active learning.
In this environment, students are not inclined to study and build conviction, but to get work submitted on time to secure their future livelihood, at any cost. This breeds academic integrity instability and a fragile cohort lacking in confidence to think and do for themselves.
Not only does this feed learning insecurity within individuals, but it can foster unreliability within an entire organization if, within enough people, independent thought is left unprioritized.
An example of this risk has been shown in a recent Harvard study documenting an increase in productivity but a decrease in motivation in those who use AI. This disinterest puts organizations at risk for a lack of morale and willingness to contribute unique and meaningful work.
Further, the planet’s health will continue to deteriorate with unregulated AI usage.
Increased energy demands and resource consumption from data centers increase environmental impact, as the current American electricity infrastructure relies on 60% of fossil fuels.
Students should not feel the need to risk the planet or their rectitude to sustain a system bent on disheartening them.
Implementing an academic structure that fosters learning, comprehension and sustainability should be the top priority for any educational institution. Resolving not just the overabundant usage of AI, but also fossil fuels, data and the distrust instilled in learners.
Educated and confident people are good for any system destined to survive long-term. Facilitating an environment that encourages students in this way may be the most holistic solution to reducing students’ overreliance on AI and the devaluation of our fellow humans.
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