Teaching Critical Thinking in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Being Creative With A.I., for Better or Worse

July 27, 2025, 9:00 a.m. ET

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how students learn, and educators are rethinking traditional methods to keep critical thinking alive. Two perspectives highlight the challenges and opportunities A.I. presents in education.

Preserving the Inner World of Learning

One parent and public educator emphasizes that classrooms must become places where learners undergo genuine transformation, not just produce outputs to advance. They suggest increasing in-class reading and writing without any A.I. assistance—pencil and paper, the old-fashioned way.

The argument is clear: learning, whether in liberal arts or trades, demands personal struggle and thought that can’t be outsourced. A.I. risks prioritizing the external, marketable world over the inner intellectual journey. Schools should provide refuge from this, fostering spaces where deep, unassisted thinking thrives.

Adapting Teaching Strategies to A.I.

Another viewpoint comes from an engineering professor who noticed a curious shift this year: students’ written reports improved, likely because of A.I. use. But oral presentations still required effort and practice. Oral communication forces students to organize their thoughts, engage with their audience, and tell a compelling story.

By emphasizing oral presentations, educators can encourage mental effort and authentic expression. Students also get motivated to improve because they care about how their peers perceive them. This method offers a practical way to nurture critical thinking in an A.I.-infused world.

Practical Takeaways for Educators and Creatives

• Increase no-A.I. exercises such as handwritten reading and writing assignments to strengthen internal cognitive skills.
• Shift some focus from written to oral assignments to promote active thinking and communication skills.
• Encourage environments where struggle and personal effort are valued over merely producing results.
• Use A.I. tools thoughtfully, understanding their benefits and limitations in developing critical thinking.

For those interested in how to effectively integrate A.I. into learning and creative workflows, Complete AI Training offers courses that explore practical applications and strategies.