We are doomed . . .

[BillM]

I keep hearing how this generation is the most intelligent ever. In some ways yes but in most ways no. Yes, because they are doing entry level college algebra in grade school but can't do simple math. Neither can they read or write.
In most ways they are lost, dependant on computers, internet and soon AI for all their answers and problem solving. They have the skills to use programs that actually give the answers.
Over the last 12 years, I helped kids going to college write their first papers. Most kids, even those in advanced studies in HS, have never written a paper and have no clue on how to use APA or MLA writing styles for college.
Since AI started, I began playing with it to see how kids will use it to cheat. The first version was simple to catch. When I helped a kid with a paper I let them know I wasn't going to help them write an A paper when they were a C student. I'd help them get to an A student paper if they learn from me.
I started with a normal first year student paper on Psy.. 1,500 words with 5 citations on social interactions. Added no additional info. AI printed the entire document, with citations, in the time it took for my screen to scroll. Way too perfect with language no teen would use or know. The second version of AI I gave the same assignment. It was perfect. I played around with quality of paper, ect and could even tweak it to a lower grade.
It was amazing. Now colleges are trying to develop software to catch AI produced research and papers. It can't. So are the kids today more intelligent? No. Not even close.
A simple sun flare that would wipe out the electrical grid and all electronics on earth would put these "most intelligent" kids in the stone age not knowing how to use math by hand to build or maintain. They couldn't even write.
So asking a college kid a question about how many Suns we have in our Milky Way, they'd just ask google or Siri. Past that, no bueno

Booksmart vs. Practical.

 

[Snattlerake]

AI has been a great friend to us in the hiring process. We ask specific questions, we have the AI generated responses (which are generally very factually incorrect) and when a person starts spouting the AI answer we do not hire them. Been a very good indicator for us. Would rather hear I do not know for sure but here are my thoughts and then an incomplete thoughtful response from them.

The last job I got was from just showing up to the interview.

 

[C_Hallbert]

Why was my previous post removed from this thread????

 

[dennishoddy]

The last job I got was from just showing up to the interview.

Actually got a job offer by just that, showing up for the interview.
It was a job as an oilfield electrician. They already had my qualifications. There was an ice storm on the night before the interview. Showed up on time after a 30 mile drive on that ice.
The interviewer said that was all he needed to give a job offer.
Didn’t take it as another opportunity came about that paid more with less travel.

 

[-Pjackso]

Maybe they specialize in something else that is beneficial to their existence.

I think this is fair.

Everyone has skills in their realm of experience. Once you're out of your area, all bets are off.

But I agree, some of those questions were stupid easy, with no reason to miss.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

Of course Congress knows. We have them in office along with communist.

This tells me all these "lone actors" are not truly lone actors.

Woody

 

[aarondhgraham]

I retired from Ok State University,,,
I still see some of my friends for lunch.

One of my professor friends has stopped grading on "research papers" alone.

Now she takes the papers they submit,,,
And run them all through a plagiarism detection software.

But she doesn't stop there,,,
She has each student do an oral Q & A presentation of their paper.

It's only a 10-minute thing but if a student can't talk about a paper they just wrote,,,
She knows that they had an AI program write it for them,,,
Or they simply copied it from the internet.

She says the amount of whining is amazing,,,
They all want A's just for having perfect attendance.

Aarond

.

 

[BobbyV]

That's the problem,,,
We're not teaching them anything!

Nothing worthwhile anyways.

Aarond

Thankfully, this isn't the case for every kid and many are being taught/learning plenty. I'm happy to report that both of our girls (26 and 23) graduated with STEM degrees and one recently completed graduate school. They're both also gainfully employed in their respective fields.

 

[trekrok]

Thankfully, this isn't the case for every kid and many are being taught/learning plenty. I'm happy to report that both of our girls (26 and 23) graduated with STEM degrees and one recently completed graduate school. They're both also gainfully employed in their respective fields.

I think the top players are still top players. The ones below them though I feel have slid further downscale.

There's never been more or easier access to education. I'm certain that you could gain PhD level knowledge on almost anything just using YouTube. But the desire to do so has to come from somewhere and that piece seems to be getting rarer.

 

[BobbyV]

I think the top players are still top players. The ones below them though I feel have slid further downscale.

There's never been more or easier access to education. I'm certain that you could gain PhD level knowledge on almost anything just using YouTube. But the desire to do so has to come from somewhere and that piece seems to be getting rarer.

For sure. There is tons of information out there free for the taking if you're interested in learning.