The rapid development and widespread application of artificial intelligence (AI) have had an unprecedented impact across various sectors of society, challenging established modes of production, lifestyles, thought patterns, learning approaches, and values. Philosophy education, which concerns not only human thought but more fundamentally the meaning and value of human existence, therefore deserves greater attention in the age of AI.

Reconsidering educational priorities in light of AI

Despite technological advancements, philosophy education remains indispensable in the age of AI. The basic mode of interaction with AI tools—whether by educators or learners—is to input prompts or questions and receive answers in return. Yet the depth and creativity of the questions depend chiefly on the human inquirer, not on the AI system. Without high-quality, creative questioning, AI-generated content will fall short of expectations. The primary value of philosophy education lies in cultivating students’ logical and reasoning abilities. These are not the exclusive preserve of philosophy but should be foundational qualities for educators and learners across all disciplines. Overreliance on AI could diminish learners’ memory, reading, analytical capacity, and self-awareness, leading to what French philosopher Bernard Stiegler termed “systematic stupidity.” Philosophy education is therefore a vital means of fostering critical reflection and safeguarding human agency.

The importance accorded to AI in the field of education essentially reflects humanity’s emphasis on instrumental reason since the Enlightenment. Schools seek to harness AI tools to help students acquire knowledge and skills more efficiently. Yet as AI continues to evolve, the traditional model of education aimed at tuning individuals into “useful instruments” may increasingly lose its relevance. Some Chinese scholars argue that education will gradually shift its focus away from the standardized and quantifiable aspects of human life toward more intrinsic and personal dimensions, enabling education to more fully fulfill its role in facilitating individual growth. Others believe that tasks easily performed by AI should not be central to education, which ought to instead emphasize human development—fostering critical thinking, providing spiritual care, and nurturing creative aesthetic sensibility. Achieving these goals—personal growth, spiritual nourishment, and aesthetic cultivation—requires philosophy education.

Reaffirming the relevance of philosophy education today

The age of AI brings to the fore a question with significant implications for human existence: the meaning of life. As technology advances rapidly, many currently esteemed and highly sought-after professions may eventually be performed much more effectively by AI than by human workers. A “post-human condition” could even arise, in which the vast majority are deemed “useless.” Even if AI-driven economic growth establishes a prosperous welfare society, once material needs are met, individuals will still confront a deeper challenge: the meaning of existence. Closely tied to this is the narrowing gap between humans and intelligent machines, which compels us to reconsider the essence of being human. Addressing these issues necessarily involves philosophical inquiry.

How, then, should philosophy education be delivered in the age of AI? Many students today rely heavily on fragmented information obtained from the internet and lack the patience for systematic, in-depth engagement with classical texts. It is therefore essential, even in the digital age, to cultivate the capacity for close reading—especially for engaging with philosophical classics. These works represent the pinnacle of human thought and intellectual achievement, offering profound insights into the ultimate questions concerning the value of human life and the meaning of human existence.

At present, AI literacy education is already being incorporated into China’s school curricula, whereas philosophy education largely remains confined to university-level academic disciplines. To meet the needs for philosophy education in the age of AI, it may be necessary to promote general philosophy education in higher education institutions, while also introducing philosophical content—particularly training in logic and reasoning that are closely related to AI—into primary and secondary education.

Jiang Qiuliu is an associate professor from the School of Philosophy at Shaanxi Normal University.