On May 29, 2023, I shared a synthesized response from the renowned Yuval Noah Harari, PhD from the University of Oxford and a researcher at the University of Cambridge, in the aforementioned post. Harari addressed the crucial question: "Not knowing what professions will exist (in the future), what should schools teach in the present?" Additionally, I included ChatGPT's response, which was inspired by Harari's insights, regarding how to educate children in distinguishing credible sources from non-credible ones.
Since then, new generative AI models like Microsoft's Copilot have emerged. Unlike ChatGPT, which has a search limit extending until January 2022, Copilot enjoys unrestricted access to the entire internet. However, Copilot imposes a character limit of 2000 (4000 in the paid version), whereas ChatGPT allows up to 4096 characters in its unpaid version. Hence, comparing the responses of these two models to the question posed to Yuval Noah Harari, as shown below, is warranted:
Reply by Microsoft CoPilot: In our rapidly changing world, the question of what schools should teach becomes increasingly complex. While memorizing facts has been a cornerstone of education, it’s essential to recognize that this alone falls short. Here are some perspectives on what schools should prioritize:
- Life Skills and Adaptability: Beyond rote learning, schools should emphasize life skills—such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. These abilities equip students to navigate an uncertain future.
- Ethics and Social Skills: Education should foster ethical awareness and empathy. Teaching students how to engage with others, collaborate, and understand diverse perspectives is crucial.
- Happiness and Well-Being: Schools should address emotional well-being, resilience, and happiness. These aspects contribute significantly to a fulfilling life.
- Real-World Relevance: Rather than focusing solely on generalized knowledge, schools should prepare students for practical challenges they’ll face as adults. This includes financial literacy, sustainable living, and understanding the true cost of choices.
- Creativity and Innovation: Encouraging creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking will empower students to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
Reply by ChatGPT: Preparing students for an uncertain future requires a balance between foundational knowledge and adaptable skills. Here are some suggestions:
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Equip students with the ability to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and solve complex problems. This skill is transferable across various professions and is crucial for navigating unknown territories.
- Creativity and Innovation: Foster creativity and encourage innovative thinking. The ability to generate new ideas, approaches, and solutions will be invaluable in any future profession.
- Communication Skills: Teach effective communication, including verbal, written, and digital communication. Clear communication is essential for collaboration, conveying ideas, and building relationships.
- Adaptability and Resilience: Help students develop adaptability and resilience in the face of change and uncertainty. This includes the ability to learn from failures, adapt to new situations, and bounce back from setbacks.
- Digital Literacy: Provide opportunities for students to develop digital literacy skills, including understanding technology, coding, data analysis, and digital collaboration tools.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Emphasize collaboration and teamwork skills, as many future professions will require working in diverse teams and across disciplines.
- Emotional Intelligence: Teach emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management. These skills are essential for effective leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal communication.
- Lifelong Learning: Instill a love for learning and teach students how to learn independently. Encourage curiosity, self-directed learning, and the ability to adapt to new information and technologies throughout their lives.
- Ethical and Social Responsibility: Foster ethical awareness and social responsibility. Help students understand the impact of their actions on society and the environment, and encourage them to make ethical decisions in their personal and professional lives.
- Global Awareness and Cultural Competence: Promote global awareness and cultural competence. Prepare students to work in diverse environments and understand different perspectives, cultures, and global issues.
