Artificial intelligence has made it easier for students to find information, solve problems and understand difficult concepts. But as answers become available within seconds, Shobhit Nirwan believes students also need to learn when to step away from the technology. In his recent LinkedIn post, Shobhit compares AI with calculators to explain why access to a tool should not replace learning the skill behind it. His argument is not that students should stop using AI, but that they should first give themselves the opportunity to think, struggle and solve problems independently. “The most important AI skill for students may be knowing when NOT to use AI.” With this opening, Shobhit highlights an often-overlooked part of AI literacy. Knowing how to use an AI tool is useful, but students also need to recognise when using it could take away from their own learning. He compares this with calculators, writing, “We gave calculators to students, but we still taught them multiplication.” As Shobhit explains, a calculator can make calculations faster, but students still need to understand the underlying mathematical skill. “Because knowing the answer and knowing how to reach the answer are two different skills.” For students, the difference becomes important when AI can produce complete solutions almost instantly. Shobhit writes, “AI creates the same problem, except it can now do much more than calculate.” He illustrates this through a physics example: “A student gets stuck on a physics problem and asks AI immediately. The answer arrives in seconds.” While the answer solves the immediate problem, Shobhit argues that the student may miss the learning that happens while trying to solve it. “What they don’t get is the 20 minutes of struggle where they would have tried an approach, found the mistake, changed it, and understood something new.” That struggle, he stresses, is not wasted time. “That struggle isn’t wasted time. That's the training.” As Shobhit notes, attempting different approaches and learning from mistakes can strengthen independent problem-solving. Shobhit’s message is therefore about timing rather than avoiding AI altogether as he further writes “So I wouldn’t tell students to use AI less. I’d tell them to use it at the RIGHT stage.” He sums this up by writing “Pehle apna dimaag lagao, aur phir AI ko apna dimaag challenge karne do.”His final advice is equally direct: “Don’t ask AI to think instead of you. Ask it to show you where your thinking can get better.” (Disclaimer – This article summarises a post by Prashant Kirad. While Times Now has verified the public data presented, the interpretations of 'intent' remain those of the creator. This content is for educational purposes and does not substitute professional medical/nutritional advice.) Professionals & enthusiasts who write about politics to science, from economy to education, from local issues to national events and global affairs, t... View More