The next front line of alienation
The adoption of AI in education and the workplace is accelerating. Studies indicate that more than half of long-form social media posts and a growing share of business communications are now generated or assisted by AI tools. These technologies can personalise learning, automate repetitive tasks, and even draft strategic documents, freeing up time for other pursuits. However, this convenience comes at a cost.
One of the most significant concerns is the outsourcing of thinking. When students use AI to write essays or professionals rely on chatbots to generate reports, the process of struggling with ideas, refining arguments, and finding one's voice is diminished. The act of writing and reflecting is not just about producing a finished product – it is a crucial part of learning and self-discovery. Without it, knowledge can become superficial, and critical thinking skills may erode.
Moreover, AI's ability to personalise information can create echo chambers, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints and deepening social fragmentation. In the workplace, when employees receive AI-generated content that required little human effort, motivation and engagement can suffer. The risk is that both senders and receivers of such content feel disconnected from the meaning behind the words.
In Oman, these global trends are increasingly relevant. The Sultanate's education system and professional sectors are embracing AI to enhance productivity and learning outcomes. While this technological shift offers significant opportunities, it also poses unique cultural and societal challenges.
Omani society values thoughtful communication, personal relationships, and the sharing of wisdom through dialogue – a tradition that could be undermined if AI shortcuts the process of reflection and expression. For students, relying on AI for assignments may hinder the development of independent thought and genuine understanding. In the workplace, if strategies and communications are drafted by machines, employees may feel less ownership and connection to their work, potentially weakening team cohesion and trust.
The challenge for Oman, as for the world, is to strike a balance between leveraging AI's benefits and preserving the essential human processes of thinking, learning, and connecting. Not every task should be automated; some require the slow, sometimes inefficient, but deeply meaningful engagement of the human mind.
Educators and business leaders in Oman must encourage environments where technology supports, rather than replaces, the journey of finding one's voice and building understanding. This means recognising when to use AI for routine tasks and when to insist on personal immersion and reflection. Ultimately, the next front line of alienation is not just technological – it is about maintaining the resonance between what we express and what we truly think and feel.
For Oman, this means ensuring that the march of AI does not come at the expense of the nation's intellectual and cultural vitality.
[The writer Syed Adil Abbas is an MBA graduate from Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK), and is currently based in Muscat. He has over 20 years of international experience working with the public and private sectors in the Middle East, Far East, Africa and India]
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