Ekaterina Lebedeva: "AI does not destroy thinking, but transforms it."

      May 20, 2026 11:20 SocietyCIPR (12+) today is not only about the economy and technology. Over 11 years, the conference has become an effective discussion platform that allows for the discussion of futuristic, ethical, and other pressing issues related to the use of digital solutions. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool for development; however, there are certain risks associated with its application.

      According to the director of the Presidential Academy, Ekaterina Lebedeva, one of the pressing issues is the use of AI in the learning process. "The digital environment for the modern generation is an everyday reality. Almost 90% of students use AI in their studies, and here the question arises: what awaits our children in the future? Can the use of AI affect the cognitive functions of youth? Surveys by VCIOM clearly show the concerns of Russians regarding this issue: 36% talk about the danger of intellectual degradation, 26% about the spread of plagiarism, and 25% about the weakening of critical thinking. But is the use of AI as dangerous as it is commonly believed? Research by scientists shows that the more a person trusts AI, the less critically they think. Russians have a saying: "Trust, but verify!"—especially since AI does not differentiate between sources of information and sometimes uses fake resources. Research results indicate that if a specialist possesses a high level of competence and is confident in their own knowledge, they are less likely to accept the results of AI's work without analysis and verification.

      Thus, the use of AI does not destroy thinking but transforms it: from routine data collection tasks to managing results. This involves verifying information, assessing its meanings and logic, and refining the results proposed by AI to fit one's tasks. Ultimately, this works to improve the quality of the product, but only if the specialist is competent. In education, it is important to focus attention not on the simple use of AI but on developing skills to manage the responses of neural networks. Educational programs today should emphasize the development of analytical skills and a conscious, methodically structured verification of data so that one can independently assess and refine the results proposed by AI.

      Yes, generative AI reduces human involvement in routine tasks, but as long as expertise is maintained, degradation does not threaten people!" said Ekaterina Lebedeva. Photo: NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.