In the age of AI, critical thinking is needed more than ever.

In a recent article in Forbes, Ron Carucci makes a well-developed case for why critical thinking is very much needed (‘In the age of AI, Critical thinking is more needed than ever’). His argument raises many issues about the limitations of AI, and he summarises them in this way.

1. AI lacks the ability to fully grasp the subtleties and nuances of human language and context.
2. While AI can generate solutions based on existing patterns and data, it struggles to generate truly novel ideas or approaches.
3. AI lacks human values and moral intuition, making it difficult for it to navigate ethical demands effectively.
4. AI lacks emotional intelligence and the ability to understand human emotions and motivations.
5. Critical thinking often requires adaptability and the ability to adjust reasoning strategies based on new information or changing circumstances. While AI can be trained on new data, it lacks the flexibility and adaptability of human thinking.

So, he argues, ‘While AI can perform some tasks exceptionally well, including data analysis and even some forms of logic, it lacks the nuanced understanding and flexibility of human thinking’.