AI and the future: How AI is changing the world
By: Grace Kapatuka
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the world. Its transforming industries like healthcare, finance, transportation and education, making processes more efficient and opening up new possibilities. From virtual assistants to self-driving cars, AI is changing how we live. According to recent survey, 86 percent to 92 percent of students use AI tools to support their studies with 54 percent using them daily or weekly.
AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly and Microsoft Copilot are helping students with writing, research and editing. Most popular AI tools that are being used are ChatGPT, Grammarly, Microsoft Copilot and Gemini.
Alisha Chimphepo, a student at DMI University in Lilongwe said AI is becoming an essential part of the student learning experience and its usage is expected to continue growing.
Maxwell Kaponda of Adventist University concurred with Chimphepo saying AI is changing the game for students saying it provides a tailor learning experiences to individual student’s needs, abilities and learning styles.
The education sector has not been left behind in the AI revolution (Photo Credit: Internet)
“While it’s not a replacement for human teachers, AI can be a powerful tool to enhance learning because AI is easily accessible with driven tools that can make learning more accessible for students with disabilities, language barriers or those in remote areas,” he says.
He also said AI provides instant feedback on assignments, helping students learn from their mistakes and improve faster.
However, some parents feel AI has made young people especially students lazy when it comes to education saying they stopped using their mind and instead relying on AI for assignment all course work.
Boyce Sichone of Lilongwe says much as AI seems to be good for the world, excessive use of it has been linked to decreased memory retention and analytical skills.
“Overreliance on AI to me can lead to cognitive laziness especially among young people thereby weakening problem solving skills and creativity,” he says.
Sichone added that AI can hinder deeper learning and critical thinking as students might rely on it for answers rather than critical thinking.
In Malawi, AI is making waves, especially in the education sector. Ecobank Malawi has partnered with the Ministry of Education’s BEFIT program to introduce AI-supported learning materials to schools, aiming to bridge the digital divide and enhance literacy and numeracy skills. This initiative is expected to benefit students in rural areas, providing them with access to quality educational content.
In higher education, studies have shown that generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva can significantly improve critical thinking and collaboration among students. These tools facilitate real-time collaboration, provide intelligent suggestions, and offer personalized content generation, making learning more engaging and effective.
Malawi is also taking steps to harness AI for economic growth, with initiatives like the National Digitalization Policy and the AI for Leaders Summit. Organizations like Machine Learning Malawi are working to strengthen AI and ML skills in the country, addressing challenges in education, healthcare, and climate change.
Director of ICT at Mzuzu University Dr Enock Tung’ande Mbewe, said Artificial Intelligence is genuinely changing the world, and its impact is already visible in everyday life; even when people are not aware of it.
Anything goes with AI (Photo Credit: Internet)
He said AI is not just about robots or advanced machines; it is about systems that can analyze information, recognize patterns, and assist humans in making better decisions.
“Today, AI is used in healthcare to help doctors diagnose illnesses earlier, in finance to detect fraud, in agriculture to predict weather patterns and crop diseases, and in education to support personalized learning,” he said.
Dr Tung’ande Mbewe added that Malawi should embrace AI, but in a thoughtful and context-aware manner and that it should be used where it adds real value and addresses pressing national challenges.
“AI itself isn’t what causes laziness, it’s how people choose to use it. When used mindfully, AI can be a powerful learning partner. When used passively, it can dull critical thinking and motivation. The best answer for me is use AI, but with guidance. Encouraging young people to use AI can be hugely beneficial if it’s done intentionally and ethically,” he said.
According to Tung’ande Mbewe, Young people today aren’t being replaced by AI, They’re being reshaped by it.
