Introduction
Points of discussion:
- Elena Verna's The Rise of the AI-native Employee.
- Imagine you are a computer science educator, and AI has come along and disrupted jobs and learning. Write a paragraph describing a new curriculum that you think will prepare students for this new world. What do you keep? What do you toss? What do you add? How do you produce graduates who will survive the next disruption?
Main Section
Responce to The Rise of the AI-native Employee
Elena works at Loveable. Loveable is a tool I used in a previous class; it is extremely powerful. Hearing that they use the Loveable tools to build out the Loveable tools made me chuckle. When I read this, I thought of last week's article. That article was very down on AI, highlighting its many drawbacks and negative by-products. While many were true, Elena showed a different perspective; one where AI provides utility to and empowers employees. It gives the average software developer the agency to do more than check off sprint goals. Loveable reminds me of the creation of Facebook as seen in The Social Network. Now people can be bold and daring and SUCCEED! That is not new but AI gives more people a fighting chance. I can see both sides of this coin (or possibly a golden ring); it is up to each person to decide which one matches their values.
Thoughts on designing a curriculum in the AI age
Yay! Now I'm a teacher. A job I would actually really love. I've got tough questions to answer, though. AI is changing how students learn, and the adaptation of the curriculum is crucial.
I think the most important thing I can impart upon my students is an appreciation for the present. Understanding that we have it really good and to not take things for granted. AI is extremely powerful, so teaching how to consciously use that power is point #1. Inspiring a love of learning that can utilize the good parts of AI while not letting the students get lost in the ease AI can provide. Providing students with an example that elevates them from monkeys on a keyboard to creative people using every tool at their disposal to positively impact the world. I think the curriculum is second to the understanding that AI is here to stay but not here to disable our individuality. It is the people behind AI that want that terrible outcome.