In today’s information-rich but discernment-poor reality, teaching students critical thinking skills is more important than ever. PA Wire
In today’s information-rich but discernment-poor reality, teaching students critical thinking skills is more important than ever. PA Wire
In today’s information-rich but discernment-poor reality, teaching students critical thinking skills is more important than ever. PA Wire
In today’s information-rich but discernment-poor reality, teaching students critical thinking skills is more important than ever. PA Wire


In the age of AI, we must encourage critical thinking


Sonia Ben Jaafar
Sonia Ben Jaafar
  • English
  • Arabic

August 19, 2024

The UAE is globally renowned for its ambitious vision to become a leader in artificial intelligence-driven innovation across sectors, including smart cities and health care.

AI technology is rapidly revolutionising the education sector, too. I’ve witnessed changes firsthand over the past decade. AI-powered applications can now provide personalised learning experiences for pupils and analyse educational data to enhance teaching methods. New technologies will transform classrooms for years to come.

This new age for educators holds incredible opportunities for the youth but also brings significant challenges. As AI becomes increasingly ubiquitous, it is crucial that the K-12 curriculum emphasises the development of an essential human skill: the capacity to think critically.

Fostering a culture of critical thinking in schools goes beyond the classroom

Integrating AI into schools requires nurturing active, analytical thinking rather than merely creating passive consumers of technology. An over-reliance on AI risks stifling essential human skills, leading to a generation overly dependent on technology and misguided by the notion that machines can think for you.

Critical thinking involves analysing information objectively to form reasoned judgments. It requires questioning assumptions, identifying biases, assessing evidence and making logical connections between ideas.

A child looks at an artwork by street artist Banksy, of a a gorilla releasing animals, on the front of a shutter outside London zoo, on August 13. Creative thinking involves creating an environment that encourages curiosity. AFP
A child looks at an artwork by street artist Banksy, of a a gorilla releasing animals, on the front of a shutter outside London zoo, on August 13. Creative thinking involves creating an environment that encourages curiosity. AFP

In today’s information-rich but discernment-poor reality, teaching pupils critical thinking skills is more important than ever. The rapid advancement of AI presents opportunities to revolutionise education. But without a deliberate focus on fostering critical thinking, we risk creating a generation overly dependent on technology.

To address these challenges, I urge education policymakers to implement national standards for critical thinking that align with AI education goals, including mandatory courses on AI literacy and ethics. This is not simply a matter of imposing this revolution on educators; it requires informed and thoughtful planning.

Policymakers and school administrators play a crucial role in this transition and must be well-informed and prepared. Curriculum reforms should reflect the necessity of fostering critical thinking alongside AI proficiency. This means integrating critical thinking exercises and projects across all subject areas, from mathematics to art, incorporating AI where appropriate.

Professional development for educators is fundamental to collective success, meaning it must be integrated into pedagogical learning, not merely offered as an add-on workshop. Teachers need strategies to effectively integrate critical thinking into their classrooms, considering AI use cases. Professional development programmes should include hands-on workshops, collaborative planning sessions and access to AI tools that educators can experiment with in a supportive environment.

This includes training teachers to introduce discussions that encourage deep thinking, designing assignments that require critical analysis and creating an environment where questioning and exploration are valued. Additionally, teachers should be provided with resources and ongoing support to develop their skills in practice. They cannot be expected to figure this out on their own, especially amid the hype and group anxiety around assessments.

Imagine a classroom where AI seamlessly integrates with daily lessons, providing real-time feedback while pupils analyse data to solve complex problems. This is the future we're aiming for, but it requires a foundation of critical thinking.

Assessments must measure the application of critical thinking in various contexts. Traditional testing methods that do not capture a student's ability to think critically are a disservice to collective development. Assessments should include tasks that require pupils to analyse information, draw conclusions and justify their reasoning with or without AI.

Project-based assessments, where pupils work on real-world problems and present their findings, can provide a more accurate measure of their critical thinking abilities. These types of assessments encourage pupils to engage deeply with the material, understand the underlying principles, and apply their knowledge creatively and thoughtfully. By working on tangible projects, pupils learn to balance the use of AI with critical analysis and ethical considerations, ensuring they develop a well-rounded skill set.

Moreover, fostering a culture of critical thinking in schools goes beyond the classroom. It involves creating an environment that encourages curiosity, where pupils feel safe to express their ideas and where diverse perspectives are valued. Schools should promote activities that stimulate critical thinking, such as debates, problem-solving competitions, and collaborative projects. Encouraging pupils to take on leadership roles and engage in community service can also help them apply their critical thinking skills in real-world situations. This is what great schools already do, but we now need to do it with AI.

As the only country with a dedicated Ministry of Artificial Intelligence – a university in Abu Dhabi dedicated to AI – the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), 22 chief AI officers across Dubai government entities, and numerous other government-led initiatives, the UAE is well-positioned to balance AI advancements and critical thinking skills in the classroom. The goal is to create a balanced approach where technology supports learning, but the core focus remains on nurturing the intellectual capabilities of pupils.

While AI offers remarkable educational advancements, the heart of learning must remain human. By prioritising critical thinking, we prepare pupils not only to navigate but to thrive in the complex world ahead. Critical thinking is not just an academic skill; it is a life skill that prepares pupils to face the challenges of the future with confidence and competence.

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam

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2. Prayer

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4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Mumbai Indians 186-6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 183-5 (20 ovs)

Mumbai Indians won by three runs

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The five pillars of Islam
Results

6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Major Cinnamon, Fernando Jara, Mujeeb Rahman

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Al Mureib, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Remorse, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Meshakel, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Desert Peace, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Sharamm, Ryan Curatlo, Satish Seemar

Ticket prices
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  • Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
  • Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
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McIlroy's recent struggles

Last six stroke-play events (First round score in brackets)

Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)

The US Masters Tied for 7th (72)

The Players Championship Tied for 35th (73)

US Open Missed the cut (78)

Travellers Championship Tied for 17th (67)

Irish Open Missed the cut (72)

Tenet

Director: Christopher Nolan

Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh 

Rating: 5/5

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Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain

West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership

UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby

Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017

Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free

Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa

Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia

Profile of Udrive

Date started: March 2016

Founder: Hasib Khan

Based: Dubai

Employees: 40

Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.

INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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Zidane's managerial achievements

La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:

  • Former first lady Hillary Clinton
  • Former US president Barack Obama
  • Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
  • Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
  • Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
  • California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
UAE SQUAD

UAE team
1. Chris Jones-Griffiths 2. Gio Fourie 3. Craig Nutt 4. Daniel Perry 5. Isaac Porter 6. Matt Mills 7. Hamish Anderson 8. Jaen Botes 9. Barry Dwyer 10. Luke Stevenson (captain) 11. Sean Carey 12. Andrew Powell 13. Saki Naisau 14. Thinus Steyn 15. Matt Richards

Replacements
16. Lukas Waddington 17. Murray Reason 18. Ahmed Moosa 19. Stephen Ferguson 20. Sean Stevens 21. Ed Armitage 22. Kini Natuna 23. Majid Al Balooshi

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Spider-Man: No Way Home

Director: Jon Watts

Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon 

Rating:*****

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Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania ​​​​​​​
Verdict: 4 Stars

About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 4/5

Results

4pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)

4.35pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m; Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

5.10pm: Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Canvassed, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O’Meara

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

7.30pm: Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Final Song, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

W.
Wael Kfoury
(Rotana)

Cultural fiesta

What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421,  Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day. 

Updated: August 19, 2024, 5:23 PM