For today’s Ethical ELA Open Write, host Gayle Sands invited poets to compose “important thing” poems. She offered this form, based on the boiled-down essence of children’s books and Aristotle’s philiosphy on the accidental purpose of things:
- Begin with: “The important thing about __________ is that ________________”.
- Follow with: An assortment of supporting facts and ideas
- End with: “But the important thing about _______________ is that _______________”.
The poem could be about an object, person, concept, or belief. Anything.
For some reason, AI came to mind.
As it happens, Two Writing Teachers offered a suggestion for today’s Slice of Life Story Challenge: Write about a time you felt fear.
Many people fear AI.
So here we are.
The Important Thing About AI
The important thing about AI
is that it can do
so many important things.
It can
plan your lesson
make your presentation
craft your poem (in any form you choose)
write your dissertation
and your novel.
It can
compose your music
reinvent your image
create believable deepfakes
of visuals and news
that fit perfectly
in the alternate reality
of your preference.
It can
design your clothes
your house
your city
your travel
your vehicle
your financial portfolio
pretty much anything.
But the important thing
about AI is
that it’s the tool
not the builder.
Photo: pexels.com
*******
with thanks to Gayle and the vitally important communities at Ethical ELA and Two Writing Teachers
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lit bits and pieces 
This is so true and SO relevant. I am in the process of planning a new course for grad students and I cannot plan without incorporating AI; yet, for me and for my students it is NOT the end all and NOT capable of critical thinking!
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That last line is so spot on!! I was having a conversation just the other day about AI and this exact fact. The guy was asking me how/if I’ll approach it with my students. I was saying, it’s probably about teaching them HOW to use it — so I love that “it’s the tool, not the builder.”
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Hi Fran! “It’s the TOOL not the BUILDER.” I’m am going to use that when speaking with teachers this school year. Love the poem! Thank you!
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I also agree with your powerful ending. The fear is that we will confuse the two, or be tricked into confusing tool for builder.
I also am learning that AI can do wonders with analyzing large data sets and has really important research applications. Still scary, though.
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I hope we can keep this in mind, that AI is a tool. I am afraid that it will replace human creativity, but you know, the Internet did not kill books. Hopefully, we can find important uses that are harmless.
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Fran, yes! The tool and not the builder – – the bones but not the heart. What a great reminder of this important thing. And cheers!
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