Regulars will have noted that TuS has been making increased use of AI in the last year or so and getting some criticism of that.

I understand why many are concerned but my view is that this is another technology, like those before, we must master, a ‘tiger we must ride.’ Famous last words perhaps but we humans didn’t get where we are, on top because we are the meanest SOBs on the planet, just to let our own technology replace us.

If we, crucially, educate or young to use it carefully, it can massively enhance their lives but when they lack experience of life, we must structure learning around it.

That’s just what Professor Walter Isaacson thinks.

“Some history professors try to stop their students using artificial intelligence for their projects – I require my students to use two or three different AI models, and show how they’ve used AI every step of the way.”

For Walter Isaacson, one of America’s most celebrated historians and biographers known for his acclaimed profiles of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and Tesla tycoon Elon Musk, attempting to block the use of the now-ubiquitous technology is not just futile but a wasted opportunity to educate students.

“All technology tools are a wonderful arrow in the quiver of the historian – and the professor teaching history,” explained Isaacson, who has moved effortlessly from a stellar journalistic career (editor of Time magazine, chairman and CEO of CNN) into writing award-winning biographies and history books, and is now professor of history at Tulane University in his home town of New Orleans.

To that effect, Isaacson is adamant the writing process cannot be outsourced, even if AI can provide useful research or analytical tools, or creative starting points. “I make sure they [students] start with a blank screen but it’s fine if they use all sorts of tools to gather information. The final product must be entirely written by them,” he said.

Full article in Times Higher Education (not a paywall but you need to register, free) at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/walter-isaacson-all-my-history-students-must-use-ai