‘Instead of thinking before answering, single click nalang. If you ask them to explain their answers, hindi nila masagot’ - Educ. Official on effects of AI on Kalinga students

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Many students nowadays are increasingly dependent on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to finish their schoolwork faster, but it has affected their abilities to think critically and write independently.  

This was among the concerns about the situation of students in Kalinga that were brought up to stakeholders meeting in the province on Wednesday, October 15, at the Legislative Building in Bulanao, Tabuk City.  

Led by Board Member Emilio T. Kitongan, the meeting was attended by officials and representatives from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the province, from DepEd SDO - Kalinga and Tabuk City, from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Kalinga Provincial People’s Council - Local School Board (KPP-LSB), from PLGU, from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and other partners.  

During the discussions, KPPC-LSB officer Mario Garcia expressed concern over the growing reliance of students on AI tools, which he said limits their understanding of their lessons because instead of studying before answering their activities, they are just simply leave it to AI, which answers instantly.

Garcia said that based on their observation, students' answers on their activities are technically correct because of AI, but when teachers ask them to explain what they have submitted, they scramble to find words, showing little comprehension or understanding.  

“If you’re a college instructor, you call the attention of students and ask them questions; instead of thinking before answering, single click kaagad. If you ask them to explain their answers, hindi nila masagot,” Garcia said.  

The official also mentioned the worsening reading comprehension among learners, which, he said, must be attended to. 

To address these concerns, along with formulating other measures on how to help students in the province, the participants tackled the creation of an Executive Committee in line with Resolution No. 001, series of 2025, of the KPPC-LSB.

After review and discussions, the participants agreed that copies of the resolution will be forwarded to other concerned offices to determine the next steps of creating the committee. 

Kitongan, who chairs the Committee on Education, said the proposed committee not only aims to address said issues but also to identify and harmonize overlapping education programs and projects, strengthen coordination between schools, training institutions, and local industries, and formulate a Kalinga Convergence Plan to improve education quality, skills alignment, and employability of the youth.  

“This is not just about creating a committee but about doing the best we can tapno matulungan tayo dagitoy studyante tayo,” added Kitongan during an interview with Guru Press Cordillera.