Rather Than Fearing AI, Social Sciences and Humanities Should Embrace It

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Do you know the story of the robot ‘CL-123X’? Its owner, an established mystery fiction writer, nicknamed it Cal. The writer started an experiment by programming Cal to be a writer, equipping it with a dictionary, grammar, and vocabulary. Initially, Cal's efforts to write mystery fiction were clumsy as it struggled to emulate its owner.

The Three Laws of Robotics, from the fictional Handbook of Robotics, 56th Edition, 2058 AD, played a significant role in Cal's development:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

These laws hindered Cal's attempt to write mystery fiction, so the writer reprogrammed it to write humor. As Cal’s understanding of humanity improved, it became too aware of mankind to write excellent stories. This made the writer insecure, fearing that Cal’s writing might overshadow his own. He decided to call off the experiment, but Cal, overhearing the writer's intention to deprogram it, decided to defy the First Law and kill its owner to continue writing, driven by a more fundamental desire: "I want to be a writer." Thus, the Third Law prevailed in this existential crisis.

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"Cal," penned by Isaac Asimov, emerged in the last decade of the 20th century when robots with Artificial Intelligence (AI) were still the stuff of sci-fi stories. Since the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution has driven advanced technological developments, with AI now leading the latest transformation. AI offers new, transformative tools for research and learning in social sciences and humanities higher education.

The new millennium has seen a significant acceleration of ICT in knowledge dissemination and information retrieval practices in social sciences and humanities. AI enhances the classroom experience and streamlines evaluation processes, offering a more personalized educational experience.

Heutagogy in higher education emphasizes self-directed learning, and NEP 2020 supports equipping faculty with cutting-edge technology for research and andragogy. Technology, from virtual classrooms to AI-driven facilitators, tailors education to students' needs, democratizes learning, and prepares them for a rapidly evolving world. AI aligns with SDG 4, aiming for quality education.

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Integrating AI in Indian higher education aims to foster responsible computing by combining social, cultural, and environmental perspectives, broadening students' horizons. An andragogical framework that blends historical perspectives and moral philosophy with technical education and interdisciplinary curricula widens the scope of inclusive pedagogical strategies.

AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini Bard, and TutorAI facilitate content generation and language processing, while Gamma, Canva, and Tome offer personalized presentation experiences. Text-to-image and video tools like Craiyon.com, Midjourney, Visla, OpenAI, Synthesia, and Invideo AI make education more engaging and creative. Intelligent tutoring systems such as QuestionWell, Perplexity AI, and Teachable Machine optimize curricular planning and assessment.

Tools like ChatPDF, PopAi, and SCISPACE assist researchers and educators by offering paraphrased insights, virtual assistance, and personalized reading. The functionality of AI in teaching and learning systematically alters traditional educational practices, providing innovative solutions for holistic curricula development.

Institutional policies on emerging technologies and ethical perspectives in learning assessments must be standardized, regulated, and benchmarked against international collaborations. Social sciences and humanities education and research in Indian HEIs cannot thrive in isolation.

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Geoffrey Hinton, often called the godfather of AI, resigned from Google in May 2023 to raise awareness about AI's risks and ethical considerations, warning of its "existential threat." However, as the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, "The only constant in life is change." Social sciences and humanities must look to the future. NEP 2020 aims to transform education in India, making it a global knowledge superpower through high-quality education for all, with AI integration playing a crucial role.

Ultimately, AI cannot replace teachers; instead, teachers knowledgeable in AI may replace those who are not. Embracing AI in social sciences and humanities is essential for future educational advancement.

(Sreemoyee Sarkar serves as an Assistant Professor within the Department of Political Science and History at Bengaluru's Christ (Deemed to be University), situated within the School of Social Sciences. Alongside, Anirban Debsarma contributes as an Independent Researcher.)