[tz18]

>AI makes the math world more accessible than before. If you have a question about a proof in the lecture, you can just ask it.

I think that is great, really! but does anyone remember asking a TA or teacher or prof or parent and getting told you can work it out for yourself, or maybe just given a hint? What if that is an essential part of learning, having to work through things you don't understand, but that you have the tools, the foundation, to figure out.

A calculator can't teach you math. A forklift can't build your strength. This is really a double edged sword, as far as education or accessibility goes.

You have to constantly ask... what do I lose by not figuring it out myself?

[est31]

Yeah, among other factors, that "figure it out" mentality put me off in the end. Especially because often you need to show the same mentality unless you want to overkill proofs and spend more time on them than assigned to you. I sometimes miscalibrated and pointed out some details that didn't need pointing out in my proofs while in other proofs, I skipped over too many details for the TA.

Of course I agree that if the student just asks LLM to do their homework, they have not learned anything. But it's sad if one can't ask questions about a proof or such. Having the LLM around to review the homework submission is also useful, to make sure that the arguments are solid.

[fc417fc802]

You will have to learn to voluntarily figure things out for yourself without being pushed towards that. In a sense it's analogous to the presence of cheap calorie dense foods. In order to not be overweight you have to be mindful of and regulate your food intake in various ways.

Alternatively, perhaps universities will provide access to fine tuned models that are mindful of such things.

[Jtarii]

You can ask the LLM for a hint as well.

[nick__m]

You can but sadly most people ask for awnsers.