Basil Jarrett | Critical thinking: The new superpower in an AI-driven world

LAST WEEK, I wrote on how we as adults and parents must begin to rethink the future we envision for the next generation, as the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) urgently makes traditional models of success, education, and job security obsolete. I argued that parents, educators, and caregivers must confront their own fears about AI and adapt by teaching children not just to use AI, but to think critically, ethically, and creatively alongside it. I also highlighted the need to strike a balance between leveraging AI and preserving human traits like empathy, moral reasoning, and emotional intelligence, while rethinking education to prioritise adaptability, collaboration, and responsible technology use.

That article prompted comments from readers who feared that AI will turn us into passive consumers of technology, eroding our ability to think for ourselves and turning us into the laziest versions of ourselves. That fear is not unfounded. After all, how do we convince the next generation to bother learning to solve problems, analyse data, or make decisions when AI can do it all for them? My response is that, as AI becomes more integrated into our lives, the need for critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills will become even more crucial than ever. Far from making our brains obsolete, I believe that AI will demand that we sharpen these very same skill sets to navigate a world where machines handle the heavy lifting, but humans steer the ship.

THE MYTH OF THE ‘BRAINLESS FUTURE’

I’ll use my own son as an example. He’s a genius at math. A real wiz kid. He scored a grade one in fourth form, and is now doing additional math, applied math and another math that I can barely pronounce. I call him Big Brain. A real math talent extraordinaire. Clearly, he takes after his mother. But as excited I am for his arithmetic acumen, a small part of me is worried that these skills may be developing at the expense of his critical-thinking abilities. And therein lies the problem. In a few years, I believe that AI will make those computational skills and abilities redundant. There will then be a greater need for better judgement, critical reasoning, and analytical skills. At that time, it will be more useful to be able to spot gaps in logic, than to calculate the square root of pi.

And so, in a world where everyone has access to an AI model that can answer any question, solve any problem, and generate endless ideas, the value of that AI will depend entirely on the person using it. Without the ability to ask the right questions, evaluate the quality of the answers, and apply those insights effectively, the most advanced AI system in the world is little more than a fancy paperweight.

THE REAL DIVIDE: SKILLS, NOT ACCESS

In that AI-driven world, the divide won’t be between those who have access to technology and those who don’t. It will be between those who know how to use AI effectively and those who don’t. And the key to using AI effectively lies in human skills. Yup, those same critical-thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills we speak of.

Already, we’re seeing this pattern. Consider a scenario where two businessmen are given access to the same AI tool. One uses it to brainstorm innovative marketing strategies, analyse customer data, and optimise their business operations. The other asks the AI for advice on every challenge they face, blindly following its recommendations without questioning whether they’re relevant or practical. Who do you think wins?

The first businessman understands his business, his market, and his goals. He also knows how to frame questions that yield useful insights and how to evaluate the AI’s suggestions in the context of his unique situation. The second person, lacking these skills, ends up with generic advice that doesn’t address his specific needs and leads him down the wrong path.

And so, as AI becomes more widely adopted, those who thrive in this new environment aren’t the ones who rely on AI to do their thinking for them, but rather, the ones who use AI to enhance their own knowledge, experience and thinking, leveraging its capabilities to make better decisions.

WHY JUDGEMENT MATTERS MORE THAN EVER

So yes, AI can provide answers, but it can’t tell you which questions to ask. It can generate ideas, but it can’t tell you which ones are worth pursuing. It can analyse data, but it can’t tell you what that data means in the real world. These are tasks that require human judgement, a skill that combines critical thinking, experience, and intuition.

The same principle applies to creative fields. AI can generate stunning visuals, write compelling ad copy, and even compose music, believe it or not. But it can’t replace the judgement of a creative professional who understands their audience, their brand, and the emotional impact of their work. A songwriter who blindly follows AI-generated ideas risks creating something that sounds impressive but fails to resonate with fans.

So if critical thinking and judgement are the keys to thriving in an AI-driven world, then our education system must prioritise these skills. Unfortunately, our traditional models of education often emphasise rote memorisation and standardised testing over creativity, problem-solving, and independent thinking. This approach may have worked in the past, but its days are numbered.

THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN AN AI-DRIVEN WORLD

We need to teach children how to think, analyse and spot gaps in logic and reasoning. They should also learn how to ask thoughtful questions, evaluate the quality of information, and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. We need to teach them how to use AI as a tool, not as a crutch. As parents and educators, we have a role to play in modelling these skills. Children learn by watching the adults around them and so, if we approach AI with curiosity and a willingness to learn, they’ll do the same. But if we blindly accept AI’s answers without questioning them, they’ll also follow suit. The ball is therefore in our court.

Major Basil Jarrett is the director of communications at the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency and a crisis communications consultant. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Threads @IamBasilJarrett and linkedin.com/in/basiljarrett. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.