Teaming Up with AI
Working By, With, and Through AI: The New Classroom Standard
In my business school classes, AI isn’t just a lecture topic; it’s part of the team. From day one, my students are either paired with an AI like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude or they integrate it as an extra member in group exercises. This setup isn’t a gimmick—it's a critical part of their learning. Each student, or team, creates a unique persona for their AI, essentially humanizing it to fit into our world. They work together on projects, and it's fascinating to see how they leverage this 'teammate' to innovate and solve problems.
The real test comes at the end of the semester. Each student or group submits a write-up, a sort of performance review for their AI. This reflection isn’t just academic; it’s a deep dive into understanding how well they’ve managed to harness AI without being dominated by it.
Looking forward, we need to flip the script on AI education—fast. It’s not enough to react to technology; we must anticipate it. How about we start treating AI as more than a tool or a teammate? Let’s make AI a co-educator. Imagine AI not just as a participant but as a creator of course content, challenging students with scenarios that evolve in complexity as they learn. It’s high time our classrooms reflect the agility and unpredictability of the real business world. Onwards & Upwards!
My dad was in grade school in the 70’s. During this time, calculators became popular.
His math teacher commented,
“You must learn to do all math by hand, without use of a calculator. These objects are just a fad that will go away.”
That didn’t age well.
Neither will any belief that we must be able to complete all aspects of life without AI. It is not a fad. It is a valuable tool.
Use it and be empowered, or ignore it and be oppressed.