Why Students Must Reclaim Their Thinking in the Age of AI

AI is transforming how we learn, work, and communicate.  But it’s also quietly reshaping how students approach their education.  In a recent CNBC interview, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman named critical thinking as the most important skill for success in the AI age.  He even advised his own teenager to prioritize it above all else in college.  As someone who teaches Consumer Insights, Professional Sales and Sales Leadership, and regularly evaluates student work, I’ve seen why this advice is more urgent than ever.

What I See in My Classrooms

Last spring, I asked students to complete part of their final exams using only paper and pen.  No laptops, no AI tools, no internet. The results were telling. Many students who had performed well throughout the semester, and on the online portion of the final, struggled to articulate their ideas without assistance or complete math-based questions. Their writing lacked structure, their arguments were underdeveloped, and their confidence visibly faltered.

This wasn’t a lack of intelligence, but rather a lack of practice.  These students had become so accustomed to using AI to brainstorm, online, and even write their assignments and papers, that they hadn’t built the mental stamina to do it themselves.  The final exams revealed a gap not in knowledge, but in thinking.

Common Misperceptions About AI Use

Students often believe that using AI makes them more efficient.  And it can.  But efficiency without understanding is hollow.  Here are a few misconceptions I frequently encounter:

“AI helps me learn faster”.  AI often replaces the learning process.  When students use it to summarize readings or generate answers, they skip the critical step of grappling with the material themselves.

“If the AI tool gives me the right answer, I must understand it”.  Understanding isn’t just about having the answer.  It’s about knowing why it’s right, how it connects to other ideas, and when it might not apply.

“Everyone uses AI, so it’s fine”.  AI is a tool, not a shortcut.  Employers and educators are increasingly looking for people who can think independently, not just follow prompts.

How I am Building Critical Thinking in my Classroom

Throughout my teaching career, I’ve used the following strategies to help students develop critical thinking:

1.     Analyzing Real-World Cases.  I incorporate real-world examples and partner with local businesses to give students hands-on experience. By digging into actual data and interacting with professionals, students learn to spot patterns and think strategically.

2.     Challenge Assumptions.  On day one, I introduce the “Rules of Engagement” and encourage students to question what they read, hear, and even believe. Critical thinking thrives when students learn to identify bias, evaluate evidence, and consider alternatives.  We all bring different experiences and perspectives; we should be open to considering different options and challenge our own assumptions.

3.     Conducting Class Debriefs.  After activities, I ask students what worked, what could be improved, and whether the exercise clarified or complicated the topic. These debriefs give me insight into how students are processing the experience.

4.     Using Role-Playing Scenarios.  In my Professional Sales and Sales Leadership courses, role-playing is essential. It builds empathy, challenges assumptions, and forces students to think strategically and apply their learning.

5.     Implementing Peer and Self Assessments.  Students evaluate their own and their peers’ contributions using structured forms that assess reasoning, engagement, and collaboration.

What I’m Adding This Fall

As I redesign my Fall 2025 courses, I’m expanding my approach to include:

1.     Post-Activity Reflections. Students will handwrite brief reflections after each group activity, focusing on what they learned, what perspectives shifted, and what challenged them. This will help me gauge their metacognitive awareness and depth of engagement.

2.     Case Study Debates.  Students will work in small groups to analyze real-world case studies drawn from recent news and present solutions, followed by a class-wide debate. This will encourage evidence-based reasoning and exposure to diverse viewpoints.

3.        Fishbowl Discussions.  Small groups will discuss assigned topics in the center of the room while others observe. Observers will then critique the reasoning and offer alternative perspectives, promoting active listening and respectful critique.

A New Kind of Literacy

In the AI age, literacy isn’t just about reading and writing.  It’s about reasoning.  Students must learn to use AI responsibly, but more importantly, they must learn to think independently.  As Garman noted, the ability to evaluate ideas and adapt to change will be more valuable than any single technical skill.

Let’s help students reclaim their thinking.  Let’s design classrooms that challenge them to reflect, reason and wrestle with complexity.  Because in a world full of smart machines, it’s the thoughtful humans who will lead.