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As AI in education approaches general intelligence, teachers face a crucial decision. They can teach students to think with AI or let them become passive users of machine-made answers. The reality in classrooms is straightforward—students are using AI as a quick answer machine. They watch TikTok tutorials to learn how to write perfect essays about Hamlet in just minutes.
This dilemma isn't just about cheating; it's also about the consequences that follow. It's about the future of human learning itself.
We may already be in the era of 'peak humanity'. We live in an era of high levels of education, reasoning, and creativity. This is true for many people, according to substantial research by Hamilton, Wiliam, and Hattie. AI is growing quickly. It can already match and even exceed many of our thinking skills. Because of this, we might have fewer reasons to learn and improve.
The question isn't whether to use AI in education—it's how to use it as a thinking partner rather than a replacement for thought.
The Answer Machine vs. Thinking Partner Distinction
The difference between these approaches matters more than most educators realize, as highlighted in educator Phillip Alcock's recent LinkedIn observation:
Answer Machine Approach:
- "What are Hamlet's motivations?" → Gets complete analysis → Copies it → Learns nothing
- Student becomes a passive consumer of AI-generated content
- Critical thinking skills atrophy over time
Thinking Partner Approach:
- "I'm studying Hamlet. What questions should I explore to understand his motivations?" → Gets thoughtful questions → Develops own analysis → Actually learns
- Student maintains agency in the learning process
- AI enhances rather than replaces human reasoning
This distinction becomes crucial when we consider that current AI systems already exceed the average human in numerous domains. AI systems can score higher than 90% of people on standardized tests. They also have verbal IQ scores in the top 0.02% of the population.
The Urgency of Getting AI in Education Right
The stakes couldn't be higher. Research suggests we should work on the assumption that we may be only two years away from Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) capable of undertaking all complex human tasks to a higher standard than us.
If students become dependent on AI as an answer machine now, they risk what researchers call "mass downgrading of human capabilities." Many might even lose the ability to read and write, as these skills would serve no useful purpose in day-to-day living.
The irony is profound: just as AI makes thinking more important than ever, students are using it to avoid thinking altogether.
A Framework for AI as a Thinking Partner
Progressive educators, such as Phillip Alcock at PBL Future Labs, are developing structured approaches to address this challenge. Their comprehensive 'BUILD Framework for Teaching Students to Think with AI' creates three types of learning missions designed to develop genuine AI literacy rather than AI dependency.
The BUILD framework acknowledges that various learning contexts necessitate distinct approaches to AI integration. Rather than adopting blanket policies that either ban or universally embrace AI, this framework offers nuanced guidance that helps students develop critical thinking skills while learning to collaborate effectively with AI tools.
No AI Missions
Build thinking foundations through:
- Critical analysis without technological assistance
- Socratic discussions and debates
- Reflective writing that requires personal insight
- Problem-solving that develops core reasoning skills
Optional AI Missions
Students choose when to engage AI while building their personal AI toolbox:
- Research assistance that maintains student agency
- Brainstorming support that sparks rather than replaces creativity
- Writing feedback that improves rather than substitutes student work
✅ Recommended AI Missions
Structured AI collaboration where students:
- Learn to craft effective prompts that elicit thinking rather than answers
- Practice iterative refinement of AI responses
- Develop skills in evaluating and synthesizing AI-generated content
Practical Guardrails for Classroom Implementation
Rather than thinking of an AI policy, educators should approach it with guardrails or guidelines for schools to follow. These should include best teaching practices on how educators can critically utilize the tool while guiding students' use of the technology to foster critical thinking.
Essential Guardrails for Your Classroom
Process Documentation Requirements
- Students must document their thinking process before engaging AI
- Require submission of both human reasoning and AI interaction logs
- Design assignments that make the learning process visible
Strategic Prompt Development
- Teach students to ask questions that generate thinking rather than answers
- Practice crafting prompts that require synthesis and analysis
- Develop skills in iterative prompt refinement
Critical Evaluation Protocols
- Students must fact-check and evaluate AI responses
- Require identification of potential biases or limitations in AI output
- Practice comparing multiple AI responses for consistency and accuracy
Scaffolded Independence
- Begin with highly structured AI interactions
- Gradually increase student autonomy in AI tool selection
- Maintain human oversight of high-stakes learning activities
The Expert vs. Novice Challenge
Research reveals a critical distinction in how AI affects different learners. Expert knowledge workers can use AI to enhance their skills. AI can act as a sounding board for ideas. It can also serve as a technical lead for first drafts. Additionally, it can help improve text as a copy editor and verify facts.
However, the risk is that students might lose motivation to acquire foundational knowledge. Would we be motivated to learn things that machines can do in a fraction of a second, at near-zero cost?
This creates what we can call the "expertise paradox." Students need a basic understanding to utilize AI effectively. However, having AI makes them less motivated to learn that knowledge.
Building Future-Ready Students
The solution isn't to ban AI in education but to fundamentally reimagine how we teach with it. Students who graduate today will work alongside AI for their entire careers. Those who can collaborate with these tools as thinking partners will have a significant advantage.
Consider this practical approach:
Week 1-2: Foundation Building
- Teach core subject knowledge without AI assistance
- Develop baseline critical thinking skills
- Practice articulating reasoning processes
Week 3-4: Guided AI Collaboration
- Introduce AI as a research assistant, not an answer generator
- Practice prompt engineering for learning rather than completion
- Compare AI responses with human reasoning
Weeks 5-8: Independent AI Partnership
- Students choose when and how to engage AI tools
- Focus on using AI to enhance rather than replace thinking
- Regular reflection on the learning process and AI's role
The Bottom Line on AI in Education
We need to move fast. The window for establishing thoughtful AI integration practices is narrowing as these tools become more powerful and widespread.
The goal isn't to make students AI-dependent or AI-resistant, but AI-intelligent—capable of leveraging these powerful tools while maintaining their capacity for independent thought, creativity, and critical analysis.
Transform Your Teaching Today
We need to move fast. The window for establishing thoughtful AI integration practices is narrowing as these tools become more powerful and widespread.
The goal isn't to make students AI-dependent or AI-resistant, but AI-intelligent. Students should be able to leverage these powerful tools while maintaining their ability to think independently, creatively, and critically.
Incentivizing AI Literacy Through Book and STEM Vending
With Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine, physical rewards can drive digital literacy. Our Book Vending Machine and STEM Vending Machine programs create perfect opportunities to reward students who demonstrate thoughtful AI collaboration rather than passive consumption.
Imagine rewarding students with books when they:
- Complete "No AI" critical thinking assignments that build foundational skills
- Document their thinking process before and after AI collaboration
- Submit reflection essays on how AI enhanced (rather than replaced) their learning
- Demonstrate practical prompt engineering that generates questions rather than answers
Or incentivizing STEM exploration when students:
- Use AI as a research partner for science fair projects (not a project generator)
- Apply AI-assisted learning to solve real engineering challenges
- Create original inventions that combine human creativity with AI capabilities
- Develop coding projects that showcase AI collaboration skills
Building a Culture of Thoughtful AI Use
Our vending programs work because they make visible recognition of the learning behaviors we want to see. When students earn tokens for thinking WITH AI rather than letting AI think FOR them, it creates school-wide conversations about responsible AI use.
Program Implementation Ideas:
- Weekly AI Collaboration Awards: Tokens for students who show their work and thinking process
- Monthly Reading Challenges: Books focused on AI literacy, critical thinking, and digital citizenship
- STEM Innovation Rewards: Hands-on projects that students design using AI as a thinking partner
- Peer Teaching Recognition: Students who help others develop AI collaboration skills
The beauty of combining physical rewards with digital learning is that it reinforces the human element we're trying to preserve. Students work harder to earn a tangible book or STEM kit, and in doing so, they develop the thinking skills that will serve them throughout their AI-enhanced careers.
How are you preparing students to be thinking partners with AI? Let our Book Vending Program and STEM Vending Program help you reward the right behaviors while building a culture of thoughtful AI integration.
How are you teaching students to be thinking partners with AI instead of passive consumers? Share your experiences in the comments below or join our Educator Community to discuss strategies with colleagues nationwide.
