Progga Das

The foundation of a nation’s intellectual capacity lies in its education system. Education is not merely a mirror of textbook knowledge, it is a gateway into the profound realms of thought, ethics, self-realization, and creativity. But we now live in the era of Artificial Intelligence. As AI makes its overwhelming presence felt in every corner of the globe, education too is not beyond its reach.

AI has introduced a revolution in education and one that opens up unprecedented possibilities for students. Yet, simultaneously, it casts a dark shadow over the fundamentals and creativity that define meaningful learning. True education is shaped by the curiosity of a student’s mind, the human bond between teacher and learner, the liberty to make mistakes, and the virtues of patience and perseverance. But AI is restructuring the traditional framework of education. Students no longer engage in the struggle of research; instead, they input a simple prompt and instantly receive a fully composed article, mathematical solution, or complex scientific equation from AI.

Under this invasion of artificial intelligence, students are no longer compelled to think. They lose the freedom to err, which is fundamental to genuine learning. Learning at its core has always been about making mistakes, seeking truth through correction, and constructing a sense of meaning from within. A 2024 study found that the global market of AI in education had crossed USD 6 billion, and in 2025 it reached USD 8 billion. Experts predict this market will surpass USD 20 billion by 2030, a prospect that is deeply concerning. Excessive reliance on AI is distancing students from their teachers. In the classroom, a teacher is a living source of inspiration, not merely an instructor of textbooks but a guide who shapes a student’s thinking at every crossroads of life. Today, that teacher is being outshined by technology. Mechanical software and apps are now promoted as the “teachers of the future,” where students passively consume information from screens. This leads to a loss of the human-to-human emotional connection through which a teacher helps a child become a human being. Furthermore, AI is weakening students’ ability to think critically. When learners receive instant solutions from AI, they miss the opportunity to develop analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Overuse of AI is also stifling creativity.

It is hindering the deep learning process essential to cognitive development. Students are no longer writing by themselves, they rely on Google or chatbots. As a result, the habits of writing, creative thinking, fluency of language, and logical reasoning are gradually disappearing. Consequently, subjects like literature, philosophy, history, and political science are losing their inevitable depth of thought. Instead, students are trapped in a loop of reactive AI-generated responses, turning them into mechanical products. According to a 2024 UNESCO survey, 35% of students worldwide have experienced a decline in creative writing skills due to overuse of AI, which is alarming for the fundamentals of education. Thus, a generation is slowly emerging that knows data but lacks understanding, that can write essays but cannot feel, that can submit theses but is unwilling to dive into deep research. Education is not merely about acquiring skills and it involves a profound cultivation of humanity, ethics, and conscience. But AI is based on mechanical logic and it has no moral compass, no conscience, no empathy.

Dependence on such technology is pushing students toward a vacuum of values, where everything is measured by results, speed, and surfaceand lacking depth and substance. When students rely on AI for outcomes while ignoring their own sense of responsibility, their moral sense, integrity, and appreciation for effort fade into their subconscious. In their blind imitation of technology, students forget the reason for learning and they are busy searching for the quickest way to pass. In Bangladesh too, dependence on AI is rapidly increasing.

If education is entirely handed over to AI, the future society will be one of mechanical civilization, rich in information but poor in comprehension. There will be millions with degrees, but a dearth of thoughtful citizens. The teacher-student relationship will remain, but it will lack humanity. If a nation surrenders its capacity for thought, originality, and self-development to machines, it will cease to produce human beings and instead generate skilled slaves. That is never desirable. The role of AI in education is expanding, and we cannot stop it. However, to preserve the essence of education, awareness and regulation of AI use are essential. The education system must be redesigned so that AI becomes a support tool for students, not an obstacle to their creativity and critical thinking.Teachers, policymakers, and tech developers must come together to establish a balance between educational fundamentals and the benefits of AI. If this balance can be achieved, AI can indeed enrich and energize the education system, where students enjoy the advantages of technology while preserving their creativity and originality. Artificial Intelligence is not the enemy of education, if used as a supportive force.

But in today’s world, AI is no longer just a tool; it is becoming a dominant, almost authoritarian technology. If this takeover is not curbed, the next generation will not be human, they will become mere input devices of a socialist software system. They may one day proudly display degrees, but their hearts will be empty and their minds hollow. And a hollow nation can never progress.

The writer is student, Department of Economics

Eden Mohila College. She can be reached at email  proggadas2005@gmail.com