Maseru, June 19 — Following the motion moved by one Senator, Chief Peete Lesaoana Peete on the use of Artifial Intellegence (AI) tool indicating that though it is a powerful tool, it can also cause damage.
Teachers have raised concerns over the increasing dependence on AI tools by learners, warning that excessive use may negatively affect academic development and critical thinking skills.
Speaking in an interview with the Agency, Ms. Mamello Mosaefane, a lecturer at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, said she has observed a growing number of assignments that appear to have been generated entirely by AI rather than being the students’ original work.
She said while some learners use AI platforms to clarify questions and improve understanding, others submit work that is inconsistent with their usual writing abilities, suggesting that they relied heavily on AI-generated responses without fully comprehending the subject matter.
Ms. Mosaefane noted that although technology can assist learners in researching and grasping concepts more quickly, students should avoid allowing AI to replace their own thinking processes.
She warned that over-dependence on AI may weaken learners’ critical thinking, writing, comprehension and analytical skills, adding that such students may face difficulties during examinations and oral presentations where independent reasoning is required.
Despite these concerns, Ms. Mosaefane acknowledged that AI can be beneficial when used responsibly, encouraging students to utilise it for research, revision and brainstorming ideas while continuing to put effort into their own studies.
Meanwhile, Ms. Palesa Serobanyane, a student interviewed by the Agency expressed mixed views, saying AI helps learners complete tasks more efficiently and understand challenging topics. However, she admitted that some students misuse the technology by copying answers directly without learning from them.
The concerns follow discussions in the Senate after one member tabled a motion highlighting both the benefits and potential risks associated with the use of AI technologies.
ENDS/MMK/tl
