Those of us who went to FIU Online Con this year, especially those who had the opportunity to hear the keystone speaker Ethan Mollick, may still be as stunned as I am by his insights. The Wharton professor, AI expert, and author of Co-Intelligence used his hour-long keynote to completely dismantle everything I thought I knew about the impact generative AI is having on education at all levels. And this impact goes way beyond concerns about AI detection – Mollick made it abundantly clear, with mountains of data, that AI has already disrupted how we teach, how we learn, and how we assess students. So, where do we go from here?
This article will be the first in a series that seeks to answer that very question. First, let’s focus on the biggest takeaways from Mollick’s keynote speech.
#1: Cheating Is No Longer Easily Detectable
Mollick pointed out a stark reality: AI has made it difficult, if not impossible, to detect cheating. Generative AI tools have become excellent at producing essays, solving complex problems, and demonstrating deep knowledge. AI detection tools like Turnitin only work when AI is used lazily—when students don’t refine or edit the outputs to mask their origins. The challenge for educators now is not how to catch AI use, but in redefining how we assess learning outcomes.
In this new paradigm, our focus must shift from simply identifying misconduct to fostering environments where AI is a tool for learning, not a shortcut for performance. Assignments will need to emphasize critical thinking, personal reflection, and synthesis—areas where students must demonstrate understanding beyond the AI-generated answers.
Imagine the difference between an assignment where a student must write a ten-page essay on the impact and causes of the French Revolution, versus an assignment where a student must turn in the transcript of a conversation they had with Napoleon Bonaparte (played by ChatGPT) regarding his motivations, goals, and struggles surrounding the revolution of France. Which assignment might be more engaging for students, and might lead to less cheating?
#2: Fundamental Expertise Is Still Critical
The ubiquitous use of AI in the classroom does not mean that students are actually learning. Mollick emphasized that while students can use AI to produce results, this doesn’t guarantee they know how to do the work themselves. For example, students may use an AI tool to write code or generate a research summary, but without fundamental understanding of code and literary synthesis, their knowledge remains shallow.
As educators, it is crucial that we continue to highlight foundational skills and critical competencies. AI can assist students, but we must ensure that they can complete tasks independently and comprehend the underlying principles of the work. This can be achieved by designing assessments that require students to explain their reasoning, show their process, or demonstrate how they would adapt their work if new factors were presented.
#3: AI Will Never Replace Teachers
Despite AI’s growing capabilities, one reassuring truth is that teachers are irreplaceable. Mollick stressed that while AI can assist with skill acquisition, content delivery, and even tutoring, it cannot replace the human elements of teaching. Educators are essential in assessing where students are in their learning journey, identifying knowledge gaps, and pushing them to grow. AI may deliver the right answers, but it cannot offer the nuanced feedback, emotional support, and tailored challenges that a skilled teacher provides.
The role of educators is more important than ever. We must learn to integrate AI into the classroom in ways that enhance learning rather than undermine it. This requires adaptability as we endeavor to continuously update our teaching methods, leveraging AI to better serve students. Teachers will remain the guiding force that shapes students’ critical thinking, creativity, and ability to navigate an AI-powered world.
Moving Forward
This is a time for innovation in our teaching methods, curricula, and approaches to assessment. As faculty and staff, we must adapt to the realities of AI in higher education, balancing its immense potential with our need to maintain academic integrity, foundational learning, and personal connection. Rather than fear AI, the best path forward is to embrace its role as a tool that, when used thoughtfully, can enhance the educational experience for both teachers and students.
In the next edition of this series, we’ll dive deeper into how AI is a catalyst for rethinking the way we assess students, and how we can evolve in our role as educators. More specifically, we will explore how information processing techniques, practical knowledge application, and strong synthesis skills can be part of this personal and industrial evolution.
Featured image generated with the assistance of AI