The Despair of the Professor in the Age of A.I.
The article discusses the impact of artificial intelligence on the educational experience, particularly in higher education. Professors are expressing despair over the loss of meaningful student engagement and original thought due to AI assistance in completing assignments. The author reflects on the value of personal struggle in learning, which seems to be diminishing in the age of AI.
- ▪Professors are increasingly concerned about the impact of AI on student learning and engagement.
- ▪Jane Sloan Peters, a professor, noted that her students no longer struggle to develop their own themes in assignments, likely due to AI assistance.
- ▪Many educators feel a sense of loss as the personal connection and struggle in learning are replaced by AI-generated responses.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Fault LinesThe Despair of the Professor in the Age of A.I.“Was it always the case that half of our students would cheat if it were easy enough?”By Jay Caspian KangMay 26, 2026Illustration by George WylesolSave this storySave this storySave this storySave this storyYou’re reading Fault Lines, Jay Caspian Kang’s weekly column on politics and the media.In my writing, and in my idle thoughts, I often return to Arjuna’s lament upon surveying the battlefield of Kurukshetra and finding that he must kill his friends and family.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The New Yorker.
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