The Calculator Effect: How AI is Chipping Away at Our Mental Math Skills

I've noticed a disturbing trend lately – younger people I encounter, from cashiers to students, seem to struggle with simple math in their heads. Even basic addition trips them up, and they don't appear to be fazed by it. This has led me to reflect on the value of mental math and wonder why this skill seems to be lost on many young people today.

I'll admit to having a double standard here – I'm not bothered by the fact that these young individuals struggle with writing in cursive, as it's perceived as less practical. However, math is an essential tool for everyday life, and its decline is unsettling to me. It's unconscionable that bright, capable individuals passed through years of schooling without emphasizing the importance of this skill.

Now, I'm not pointing fingers or suggesting that these young people are flawed in any way. Rather, I believe it's our responsibility as adults to recognize the value of mental math and ensure its continuation. We've seen a similar phenomenon with the widespread use of calculators in schools – where did they go wrong? Did we prioritize calculation over cognitive development?

The Rise of AI and the Calculator Effect

As we navigate the world of artificial intelligence, specifically large language models (LLMs), I'm struck by a parallel between the calculator effect and AI's impact on our intellectual capacity. Recent articles have documented how the use of LLMs can lead to reduced writing and thinking abilities in both students and adult workers.

It's clear that relying on AI for all our mental labor is not only inefficient but also detrimental to our cognitive development. We're seeing a gradual chipping away at our ability to think and write independently – the very skills we once took for granted.

The Importance of Generative Learning

As I explore this phenomenon, I'm reminded of Erikson's stages of life, where generativity is a crucial phase of adulthood. This concept resonates deeply with me – helping the next generation learn and grow, passing down knowledge and capacity not for personal gain but for the benefit of others.

Education should be "generative" – it should empower us to create, communicate, and think critically. We must recognize that our role as adults is not just to impart knowledge but to cultivate reasoning minds that can converse with clarity and purpose.

The Timeless Warning of The Time Machine

As I ponder the implications of this calculator effect, I'm drawn to a scene from the 1960 film adaptation of The Time Machine. In it, the time traveler arrives in a distant future where one group of people, the Eloi, have lost the ability to think or question for themselves due to their dependence on machines.

This vision feels unsettlingly familiar – we're seeing similar signs today. As we continue down this path of increasing reliance on AI, we must consider the long-term consequences and strive to create a future where education is truly generative.