The Professor Who Failed Students for Using ChatGPT: A Step Backward in Education?

The Professor Who Failed Students for Using ChatGPT: Is He Also Against Eyeglasses and Shoes?

In a shocking move, a professor failed students for using ChatGPT—a tool that is a key part of the future of learning and work. His reasoning? That students must rely on their natural abilities, not external aids. But if this logic holds, does that mean he’ll soon ban eyeglasses, shoes, or even prosthetics?

Throughout human history, we have always sought ways to overcome the biological limitations of our bodies. Whether it was wearing shoes to protect our feet, using eyeglasses for clearer vision, or developing prosthetics to restore lost limbs, humans have long embraced tools and technologies to augment our physical capabilities. We’ve never let our genetic or environmental weaknesses define us.

Human augmentation is as old as humanity itself.

From healing injuries to enhancing performance, people have continuously found ways to push the boundaries of human capabilities. As Yuval Noah Harari writes in Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, three revolutions shaped human history: the Cognitive Revolution 70,000 years ago, the Agricultural Revolution 12,000 years ago, and the Scientific Revolution 500 years ago. These shifts profoundly altered the course of civilization.

But now, I believe we are at the beginning of a fourth revolution—what I call the Augmentation Revolution.

In this Augmentation Revolution, our goal is to develop technologies and techniques that transcend our cognitive and physical limits. The tools we rely on, whether AI, prosthetics, or biomedical enhancements, will continue to blur the lines between what is "natural" and what is "augmented." And we will only see this trend accelerate. By the end of the next decade, I predict that nearly every individual on Earth will depend on some form of augmentation in their daily life.

Our future actions and choices will hinge upon our level of augmentation.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

To say we must reject AI like ChatGPT is no different than rejecting the use of eyeglasses, shoes, or prosthetics. These tools aren’t crutches—they’re enablers, leveling the playing field and unlocking human potential in ways that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. Those who refuse to embrace this future are stuck in the past, clinging to a reality where people must succeed with raw, unaided ability. But we are no longer in that world.

So, the next time someone argues that AI shouldn’t be part of education or the workplace, ask them: Do they also want to ban shoes? Eyeglasses? Prosthetics? If they do, maybe they should reconsider their role as educators, leaders, or innovators in a world that is rapidly embracing augmentation.

Moreover, this rapid augmentation isn’t just confined to the physical world. Our cognitive abilities are being stretched as well. With AI tools like ChatGPT, we are augmenting our thought processes, creativity, and problem-solving skills. These tools don’t replace our intelligence—they amplify it. They allow us to focus on higher-order thinking while automating routine tasks. In fact, this cognitive augmentation is no different than using a calculator for math or a spell checker for writing.

As we integrate these tools into our daily lives, we are witnessing the dawn of a new era—one where the boundaries of human potential are constantly redefined by the technologies we embrace. And yet, some resist these advances, clinging to outdated notions of “pure” human effort. But rejecting tools like ChatGPT is equivalent to turning away from progress itself.

Instead of fearing these technologies, we must learn to harness them ethically and responsibly. This is the essence of human evolution—adapting and evolving alongside the tools we create. We’re not just enhancing our abilities; we’re redefining what it means to be human in the 21st century.

Ethical Considerations and the Role of Responsibility

However, it’s important to recognize that, like any tool, AI and other augmentative technologies come with challenges that we must navigate carefully. There are legitimate concerns about over-reliance, privacy, bias in algorithms, and the potential for misuse. But these issues are not reasons to reject AI altogether. Instead, they underscore the importance of teaching critical thinking, ethical use, and digital literacy alongside these technologies.

We don’t stop wearing shoes because they sometimes give us blisters, and we don’t discard eyeglasses because they might break. Instead, we improve the designs and teach people how to use them properly. The same must be done with AI—embrace it, but do so responsibly.

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