Training teams to use AI at work has given me a front-row seat to a new kind of professional divide. Some people hand everything over to the machine and stop thinking. Others won’t touch it at all. But there’s a third group. They learn to work with AI critically, treat it like a bright, enthusiastic intern that needs to be managed and supported to do their best work. The difference? It’s rarely technical ability. It’s curiosity. A willingness to experiment, get things wrong, and figure out what AI is actually good at.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far. The Guardian Tom Hewitson
Reading task
Have students read the article once for understanding and a second time for annotation.
First read: mark the structure
Tell students to label these in the margins:
- Claim — what the author argues
- Example — stories or cases he uses
- Warning — places where he cautions readers
- Advice — practical suggestions
Second read: annotate for meaning
Students should underline or note places where the author says:
- people misunderstand what AI is
- successful users treat AI as a learnable skill
- AI needs direction, feedback, and correction
- people should not outsource judgment
- people should not give AI sensitive data
- society cannot ignore AI’s impact
Reading questions
Students answer these in writing:
- What is the author’s main argument in one sentence?
- Why does he say many people “fail” with AI?
- What does he mean by treating AI like “a bright, enthusiastic intern”?
- Why does the article warn against giving AI sensitive data?
- What kinds of decisions does the author think humans should not hand over to AI?
- Which claim in the article is most convincing? Why?
- Which claim needs more evidence? Why?
Guidline
Make a short guidline for fello students on how to use AI and get the most out of it. Make it short and clear.
Essay questions
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Why does the writer argue that AI should be treated as a skill and not as a shortcut?
Explain the writer’s view and discuss whether you agree or disagree. Use examples from the article and your own ideas. -
What responsibilities do students have when using AI for schoolwork?
Write an essay in which you discuss both the benefits and the risks of AI, and explain how students can use it in a responsible way.