Bring Wisdom into AI Education (Before it’s Too Late)

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a booming part of the technology industry, and college students majoring in disciplines such as Computer and Information Sciences are increasingly pursuing lucrative jobs to develop AI applications for major companies. However, research is unveiling harmful effects of AI products, which limit people’s freedom of thought. AI developers are largely failing to anticipate these harms as companies incentivize quick rollouts and profitable products. We review the literature revealing AI’s cognitive harms, arguing that they are partially caused by students failing to exercise wisdom once they join the workforce. We propose strategies for STEM educators to encourage the development of STEM wisdom in their students, modeled on Sternberg’s eight-step process of ethical reasoning. This article provides a practical guide for educators with actionable recommendations to reduce downstream harms of AI products their students build.