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In today’s classrooms, artificial intelligence has become more than just a tool – it’s a constant companion. Students now rely on AI platforms for brainstorming essays, debugging code, and even designing presentation visuals.
From ChatGPT drafting introductions to image generators creating complex infographics, AI’s role in education is expanding rapidly.
But as AI grows more embedded in learning routines, a pressing question emerges: could an overreliance on AI stifle students’ creative instincts?
Speaking with Tech Evangelist –Aravind Putrevu he said that creativity, after all, isn’t an innate trait; it’s a skill honed through effort, mistakes, and persistence. When students default to AI for quick solutions, they risk missing the critical trial-and-error processes that fuel original thinking. Repeatedly accepting AI-generated answers may foster complacency — the mindset that if a machine can solve it, there’s no need to dig deeper. Over time, this could erode the resilience and inventiveness students need when AI tools fall short or when challenges require more nuanced human insight.
Yet history suggests that new technologies rarely extinguish creativity; rather, they reshape it. The introduction of calculators once sparked fears that students would lose basic math skills. Instead, education shifted focus toward problem-solving and conceptual understanding. Similarly, the internet’s rise prompted concerns about diminishing research skills, only for students to learn critical source evaluation and information synthesis. These examples show that technology, when thoughtfully integrated, can enrich rather than impoverish learning.
Striking a balance is key. AI should serve as a complement to traditional study methods, not a replacement. Just as sports or music can teach discipline and foster creative growth beyond academics, AI can support learning without overtaking it. Setting boundaries—such as using AI to brainstorm options but drafting essays independently—can ensure that students retain ownership of their work.
When used wisely, AI can even enhance creativity. A philosophy student might ask an AI to outline various arguments, then critique and build upon them with their own analysis. A budding game designer could employ AI for preliminary storyboards, freeing up time to develop complex characters and narratives. By automating routine tasks like grammar checks or simple coding, AI gives students more mental space for deeper, higher-order thinking.
However, there are pitfalls to avoid. It’s easy to fall into endless tweaking of AI prompts without meaningful progress. Setting clear objectives and time limits—say, twenty minutes to generate five logo designs, followed by self-assessment—can keep AI use purposeful. Reflection is equally important: journaling after AI sessions helps students evaluate how the tool supported their learning and where human creativity took the lead.
Ultimately, AI is neither a magic wand nor a looming threat. It is a tool—powerful and transformative—that must be used deliberately. Teachers and curriculum designers play a crucial role in guiding its integration, ensuring that AI augments education rather than diluting it. With mindful usage, students can harness AI’s strengths while preserving—and even strengthening—their own creative spark.
