OpenAI’s Leah Belsky Encourages Education Sector to Embrace AI
Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s vice president of Education, calls on students and educational institutions to rethink their approach to artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of banning AI, she emphasizes using it as a tool to boost critical thinking and creativity. According to Belsky, AI proficiency is now an essential skill for graduates entering the workforce.
Since 2024, Belsky has led OpenAI's education team, advocating for the integration of AI in learning environments. She highlights that workers who utilize AI tools are significantly more productive, making AI competence a necessity in today’s job market.
AI as a Tool for Learning, Not a Shortcut
Belsky compares AI to a calculator: its value depends on how it’s used. If students treat AI as a shortcut to get answers, they miss out on genuine learning opportunities. She stresses that the goal is to use AI to expand students’ critical thinking and creativity, not to replace their effort.
“Any graduate who leaves an institution today needs to know how to use AI in their daily life,” Belsky said. “This skill will be important both when applying for jobs and on the job itself.”
Introducing Study Mode: Encouraging Active Learning with AI
OpenAI recently launched "Study Mode" in ChatGPT, a new feature that encourages active learning through a Socratic method. This approach prompts students with questions and customized responses to help deepen their understanding of topics.
Developed with input from educators and experts, Study Mode aims to shift students away from passive information consumption. It’s accessible on all platforms—mobile, desktop, and web—making quality educational support widely available, including in India, where it was extensively beta-tested.
Why Educators Should Look at AI Differently
- AI should be integrated as a complementary tool, not banned.
- Teaching students to use AI effectively builds critical thinking and creativity.
- AI skills are increasingly expected by employers across industries.
- Features like Study Mode promote active engagement, improving learning outcomes.
For educators looking to build AI skills in their curriculum, resources such as Complete AI Training offer courses tailored to various skill levels and job roles.
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