KUALA LUMPUR: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) can be greatly beneficial in learning if students do not abandon the culture of reading and critical thinking in their pursuit of knowledge, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister emphasized that while AI serves as a valuable tool, it should not replace fundamental skills such as reading and critical analysis.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted that students should not rely entirely on AI but rather utilize it to enhance the knowledge they acquire. He advised, “You can rely on AI, but don’t abandon the basics. You have to read, learn and think critically to fully benefit from AI.” He warned against over-reliance on AI, which could lead to neglecting the habit of reading and simply finding answers through quick online searches. Anwar stressed the importance of engaging deeply with books to understand the full breadth of thought rather than just extracting isolated pieces of information.
In addition, Anwar addressed the signific
ance of context in AI-generated content, noting that while the information provided by AI might be accurate, the context might not always align correctly. He drew parallels with religious studies, illustrating the necessity of interpreting both text and context, using examples from studying the Quran.
The Prime Minister also touched upon the longstanding issue of over-reliance on gadgets, a concern dating back to the 1980s with the introduction of computers. He cautioned that excessive dependence on devices could undermine human values and relationships with family and friends.
During the event, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir announced that the Higher Education Ministry plans to implement AI across universities, beginning with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This initiative aims to ensure students remain competitive in learning new technologies, while also being mindful of challenges such as deep fakes that could mislead students. Zambry highlighted the importance of foster
ing deep learning to counter potential misinformation in the education sector.
