Critical Thinking with and without Artificial Intelligence

Module 1: Foundations of Critical Thinking in the Digital Age

Objective: Introduce participants to the principles of critical thinking, focusing on how technology, particularly AI, influences these processes.

• Overview of critical thinking frameworks (e.g., Socratic questioning, logical reasoning).
• The impact of AI on human cognition: augmentation versus dependency.
• Common cognitive biases in human and AI decision-making. Practical Activity: Analyze case studies where critical thinking was compromised due to over-reliance on AI or human errors.

Module 2: Evaluating Information in the Age of AI

Objective: Equip participants with skills to assess the credibility and relevance of information generated by AI systems.

• Differentiating between data-driven insights and human intuition.
• Understanding AI-generated outputs: strengths, limitations, and biases.
• Frameworks for evaluating the reliability of AI tools in various contexts. Practical Activity: Compare human-written and AI-generated reports on a controversial topic, identifying strengths and weaknesses.

Module 3: Collaborative Decision-Making: Humans and AI

Objective: Explore strategies for integrating AI into decision-making processes while maintaining critical oversight.

• Models for human-AI collaboration in problem-solving.
• Avoiding cognitive offloading: balancing trust and skepticism in AI outputs.
• Case studies of successful and failed collaborations between humans and AI. Practical Activity: Teams will use AI tools to analyze a business problem and present solutions, reflecting on the decision-making process and AI’s role.

Module 4: Developing AI-Resilient Critical Thinking Skills

Objective: Build participants’ abilities to think critically in environments where AI is pervasive but not always reliable.

• Techniques to question AI outputs effectively (e.g., probing questions, scenario analysis).
• Ethical considerations in using AI for critical decisions.
• Fostering creativity and lateral thinking to complement AI’s logical outputs. Practical Activity: Engage in a simulated decision-making scenario where AI provides conflicting or incomplete recommendations.

Module 5: Future of Critical Thinking: AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement

Objective: Prepare participants to adapt their critical thinking approaches as AI evolves.

• Trends in AI and their implications for critical thinking skills.
• The role of education and continuous learning in developing critical thinking.
• Strategies for ensuring that AI remains a tool for enhancement rather than replacement. Practical Activity: Group discussion and presentations on a futuristic scenario, debating how critical thinking can ensure ethical and effective AI usage.