Stanford professor Jamil Zaki argues for the importance of teaching students to write, despite the rise of AI and tech-free classrooms. Zaki highlights three key reasons: the necessity of writing in professional settings, the detrimental impact of AI-generated 'textual pollution', and the cognitive benefits of writing for mental health and critical thinking. He emphasizes that writing is a vital skill for students to develop, as it fosters human connection, deepens understanding, and combats the potential negative effects of AI on our cognitive abilities. Zaki's perspective challenges the notion that AI can replace human creativity and critical thinking, advocating for the preservation of traditional writing practices in an increasingly digital world.
