Advancing technologies are playing an increasingly important role in our lives, changing the way we work, learn, create, and discover the world. However, as technological innovation continues to advance, we face an essential challenge: how can we take advantage of new opportunities while preserving our independent thinking, our ability to make sound judgements, and our capacity for human creativity?
These were the key topics of the discussion between Anahit Parzyan, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence and Global Partnerships at the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, and Ara Atayan, co-founder of Aregnazan Educational Center, educator, and art historian, on Shant TV’s Perspective Debate programme on October 17.
The discussion explored the opportunities and risks associated with the advancement of artificial intelligence, addressing a wide range of issues, from system security and control to its impact on human thinking and education. From an educational perspective, however, there is a deeper concern: the danger of relinquishing mental effort. When students receive immediate answers to their questions without having to search for information, explore possibilities, overcome difficulties, or learn from their mistakes, they may lose more than an opportunity to develop their understanding. The very inner processes through which thinking, willpower, imagination, and creative independence develop may also be put at risk. The value of education lies not merely in finding answers to questions, but also in the journey towards those answers: in learning to ask questions, to doubt and examine assumptions, to make an effort to find solutions, to make mistakes, and ultimately to experience the satisfaction of discovery.
In this context, it becomes especially important to understand technology and learn how to use it effectively. Only then can modern technology serve as a tool that expands human capabilities rather than depriving people of the opportunity to remain the authors of their own work.
One of the key issues raised at the discussion was the age and the circumstances under which the students should be introduced to AI tools.
Ara Atayan emphasised the importance of respecting the natural course of a child’s development. Children should first be given the opportunity to develop their abilities through their own experiences, direct engagement with the real world, creative work, and intellectual effort.
You can watch the full programme here
