The rapid development and commercialization of artificial intelligence should prioritize top-tier human talent to safeguard the future of Western society, especially amid growing postmodern and transhumanist trends.
In the coming years, there will be a pressing need for highly skilled American leaders within governmental and bureaucratic positions. However, the current state of education—from kindergartens to universities—poses a concerning challenge, making the rise of such an elite group increasingly difficult.
It seems our collective focus is waning, and it’s dimming the minds of high schoolers.
A recent piece in The Atlantic highlights the dilemma, especially regarding prestigious institutions like Harvard. The article titled, “The Twisted Results of Simple A,” documents alarming trends linked to grade inflation over decades. By the 2020-21 academic year, A grades had surged to 79%.
Harvard is investigating these issues and their consequences. When success requires little traditional academic effort, students may disengage from classes and ultimately, from learning. Interviews with educators reveal disheartening observations: fewer students engage with challenging texts or debate ideas in this esteemed academic environment. This issue isn’t isolated; similar patterns emerge in many Ivy League schools, and the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT only intensifies the concern.
The decline in authentic learning in higher education isn’t surprising. The influx of large language models (LLMs) into students’ academic routines has become the norm.
A Pew Research survey found that, as of January, the percentage of American teens aged 13-17 using ChatGPT for schoolwork has doubled from 13% to 26% since 2023. Additionally, awareness of the tool among teens has jumped from 67% to 79% over the past two years. With this growing exposure, it’s likely that more teens are using ChatGPT for completing homework and writing papers, with some even suggesting it’s a legitimate practice.
Some initial studies suggest that the issue may be deeper than just a rise in machine-assisted plagiarism. A study from the MIT Media Lab concluded that using ChatGPT for research and writing assignments can lead to a decline in cognitive engagement. The authors warned that such practices pose the greatest risk to brain development. While this study has yet to undergo peer review and has a limited sample size, it resonates with earlier findings on cognitive impacts linked to social media and smartphones.
Indeed, we are detracting from students’ focus, and this is stunting the intellectual growth of high schoolers. Their best opportunity lies in attending elite colleges, yet they’re missing out on vital developmental experiences during their formative years.
Technical Optimism
The quest for artificial general intelligence (AGI) is often promoted by the current tech class, claiming it will lead to miraculous outcomes like curing cancer and extending life. Who wouldn’t want that? It sounds essential, especially in the context of competing globally against nations like China in an AI arms race.
This protective perspective was echoed in recent efforts by a Texas senator to impose a decade-long pause on state regulations around AI, although this initiative ultimately failed despite extensive lobbying from tech entities.
Additionally, MIT research indicates that using ChatGPT can enhance engagement and retention in students when used as a supplemental tool during the writing process, in contrast to being a mere crutch. This could imply that LLMs might better serve as aids for thought rather than replacements for it, which may mitigate cognitive decline.
As prestigious universities like Duke explore integrating AI into their curricula, students might be tempted to leverage this technology as an educational aid. Yet, mounting research suggests that these opportunities come with risks that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Moreover, the insertion of LLMs into K-12 education is ramping up, particularly given the ideological shifts in primary education in recent years. If the teachers, often reflecting leftist ideologies, are seen as unreliable, maybe the drastic step would be replacing them with AI altogether.
Indeed, utilizing LLMs as cognitive aids has been shown to significantly lessen the risk of cognitive decline.
One such experiment is taking place at the K-12 Alpha School in Austin, Texas, where the approach relies primarily on AI tutors for instruction. Charging about $45,000 a year, they offer two hours of AI-driven teaching per day while also focusing on life skills through additional human mentorship. However, the long-term success of this model remains uncertain as their initial cohort transitions into higher education.
Research on early childhood suggests a notable advantage when students revert to foundational education before screen time becomes prevalent. For example, taking notes by hand has been found to enhance retention compared to typing on computers.
Don’t Let Technology Dominate
The overarching question remains: how do we nurture elite students and cultivate exceptional human capital to adeptly navigate a swiftly changing technological landscape?
There’s a widespread belief that these elite students should be shielded and guided, chasing the elusive goal of AGI. Otherwise, many worry we’d risk losing the AI race to China, which could have profound implications for the West.
Current global discussions underscore this concern. Notably, a recent incident captured Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping discussing groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology. If Putin is keen on extending his lifespan significantly, there’s a palpable urgency for Xi and his circle to strategize ways to address China’s demographic hurdles through biotechnology and gene manipulation.
This all ties back to the competition for AI supremacy, bringing the possibilities of AGI—and often sci-fi notions of transhumanism—rapidly into our reality.
Navigating this future while upholding the values of American freedom and constitutional principles seems daunting. Embracing private philanthropy along with time-honored educational frameworks will be crucial.
Ultimately, we shouldn’t leave the future of our republic solely in the hands of engineers but rather place it with politicians and leaders deeply rooted in the tradition of liberal arts education. In light of external threats and internal challenges, it’s vital that they work together to steer us toward a promising future with wisdom and courage.
The urgency of finding pathways in advanced technical realms is compelling. There are fears that humanity’s survival may hang in the balance. History shows us the dangers of technological advancement disconnected from ethical considerations can lead to dire outcomes.
As reiterated by a colleague, our approach to the AI arms race should not only focus on accelerating technological growth but should also ensure that it is balanced, scrutinized, and guided by knowledgeable leaders with a rich understanding of the liberal arts.
In summary, we need to identify, support, and enhance the capabilities of promising cognitive elites in America to help them become better thinkers and writers. This will prepare them to navigate the balance between preserving traditions and pursuing advancements in Western civilization.
Creating a “Manhattan Project” for elite human capital is essential. Sure, we can’t just replace institutions like Harvard with something drastically different overnight, but perhaps we need extraordinary measures to outpace our global competitors.
