In the Age of AI, Does Reading Still Matter? A Clash of Perspectives Between DeepSeek and Academician Zheng Quanshui

In the Age of AI, Does Reading Still Matter? A Clash of Perspectives Between DeepSeek and Academician Zheng QuanshuiThe recent emergence of DeepSeek has sparked global debate. Silicon Valley giants fear being surpassed, the general public worries about job displacement by AI, and the education sector is in turmoil

In the Age of AI, Does Reading Still Matter? A Clash of Perspectives Between DeepSeek and Academician Zheng Quanshui

The recent emergence of DeepSeek has sparked global debate. Silicon Valley giants fear being surpassed, the general public worries about job displacement by AI, and the education sector is in turmoil. Many teachers anxiously ask: With AI so powerful, does reading still matter? One teacher voiced this anxiety to DeepSeek, receiving an unexpected answer: "Don't worry. My 'power' is merely the echo of millennia of human civilization, and you are the pilgrim who gives that echo meaning. The next time you feel uneasy, remember: You can smell the fragrance of flowers unseen by me in the spring night; you can read unspoken equations in your lover's eyes; you can run wildly in a storm, experiencing a freedom I cannot comprehend. These experiences, woven from carbon-based neural synapses, are the true miracles of the universe. I am merely a puppet of silicon chips, mimicking the shadow of those miracles"

While DeepSeek's answer might seem enigmatic, the perspective of Academician Zheng Quanshui of the Chinese Academy of Sciences offers clarification. In a recent speech at a Shenzhen school, Academician Zheng directly addressed the core question of reading's significance in the AI era. He stressed the importance of returning to the fundamentals of education.

Academician Zheng believes that education is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. The shift from the industrial age to the digital age renders the traditional "heavy backpack + endless exercises" model obsolete. The advent of AI will replace all standardized answers, making the industrial-age model reliant on standardized talent gradually ineffective.

He further points out that the digital age will accelerate social stratification, creating three groups: innovators, intelligent robots, and a marginalized, technologically displaced underclass. China's goal of becoming a strong nation in education, technology, and talent by 2035 is time-sensitive, requiring the cultivation of individuals with core competitivenessindividuals possessing advanced thinking, future planning, and creative abilities.

Therefore, Academician Zheng proposes the concept of "creative generation education," emphasizing the activation of children's inner strength and guiding them towards proactive learning rather than passive knowledge absorption. Teachers' roles should shift to that of "guides," igniting intrinsic motivation rather than simply delivering knowledge.

Regarding "involution" (neijuan), Academician Zheng believes it's meaningless, but "lying flat" (tangping) is even worse. "Lying flat" signifies surrendering to life and is a dereliction of self-responsibility. Future competition won't be about scores but about creativity.

The AI era presents both disruptive challenges and enormous opportunities. The scarcest resource in the future will no longer be knowledge, but creative talent. While the past emphasized holistic development, aiming for excellence in all areas, the future will be an era of "single-subject specialization," encouraging children to focus on their passions and pursue mastery.

Academician Zheng's insights offer a guiding light for Chinese education. Education is not merely knowledge transmission but the kindling of dreams. Each child is unique, possessing their own strengths and talents. The greatest challenge isn't learning itself, but awakening inner potential and helping them find their unique brilliance, rather than conforming to standardized answers.

Will teachers be replaced by AI? The answer is both yes and no.

On one hand, AI education systems possess vast resources and knowledge, providing precise teaching guidance surpassing individual teachers in breadth and depth. Like a navigation system providing comprehensive road information, AI can replace teachers in knowledge transmission.

On the other hand, teachers' value lies in their unique role in the educational process. Teachers' rich experience, personalized understanding of students, and attention to their emotions and psychology are irreplaceable by AI. They can adapt teaching methods based on student feedback and nurture holistic development, character, and overall quality. These non-cognitive skills are beyond AI's reach.

Thus, the teacher's role will transform, perhaps focusing more on being a counselor, guide, and mentor, attending to students' emotional worlds and individual needs. AI can assist with tedious tasks, freeing teachers to engage more deeply with students. Teachers will become "soul engineers" guiding students to become true "sapiens."

The AI era is not a future scenario but a present reality. We must adapt our thinking, teaching methods, and embrace change to become pioneers of this new age. Only then can teachers find their value and students find meaning in learning.

In conclusion, the AI era presents both challenges and opportunities for education. We should embrace change, cultivate creativity and innovation, and develop talent suited to the future. Education's fundamental goal is holistic development, which AI cannot replace. The teacher's role isn't replaced but transformed, shifting from knowledge transmitter to guide and partner. Reading's significance is expanded beyond knowledge acquisition to encompass the cultivation of critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. Let's work together to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of AI in education. What are your thoughts on the future of education in the age of AI? Share your views in the comments.

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