Source
The Irish Times
Summary
Lecturers at Trinity College Dublin argue that even if all technical and ethical issues around generative AI were resolved, the use of GenAI still undermines fundamental elements of university education: fostering authentic human thinking, cultivating critique, and resisting the commodification of learning. They emphasise that GenAI produces plausible but shallow output, contributes to environmental and ethical harms, and can flatten student voice. The authors believe universities should reject the narrative that GenAI’s integration is inevitable, and instead double down on preserving human-centered pedagogies, critical thinking, and academic values.
Key Points
- GenAI produces plausible but often shallow/false output; lacks true understanding.
- Ethical, environmental, and social harms are tied to GenAI use.
- Even with perfect versions, GenAI undermines authentic student thinking and writing.
- Narratives of inevitability are resisted: universities can choose otherwise.
- Universities should reaffirm critical, human intellectual labour and values.
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