AI's cost to critical thinking
School may be out for the summer, but the conversation around artificial intelligence in education is heating up.
Joe Castaldo, a Globe and Mail reporter covering AI and technology, recently joined The Decibel podcast to discuss how AI may be dulling students' critical thinking skills and answer the question, 'What are we losing when we rely too much on AI?'
To set the scene, Mr. Castaldo retold a story from Swiss business professor Michael Gerlich: Mr. Gerlich was sitting in a university auditorium behind a student who was using ChatGPT during a lecture to generate questions that the student would go on to ask the guest speaker. The problem was they were questions the speaker had already extensively answered. 'The student wasn't even paying attention,' Mr. Castaldo says. It's one small example of a growing trend that sparked a study by Mr. Gerlich.
Mr. Gerlich surveyed more than 600 students to explore the connection between AI usage and critical thinking. 'He found the higher somebody's AI use, the lower their critical thinking skills,' Mr. Castaldo says. 'And it was most pronounced for younger people, like under 25.'
While the study didn't prove causation, it raises flags among educators. Some professors reported seeing students who couldn't make even basic academic decisions without consulting AI.
However, it's not just students leaning on AI, knowledge workers are too. According to a survey by workplace technology platform OwlLabs and Pulse, nearly 67 per cent of companies are using AI and 46 per cent of employees report they're either heavily using AI at work or somewhat reliant on it.
This surge brings a cost. A study by Microsoft Research and Carnegie Mellon surveyed 319 knowledge workers and found the more confident someone was in AI's abilities, the less critical thinking they reported.
The survey revealed a few motivational barriers that cause workers to opt-out of critical thinking, including:
These barriers contribute to a broader pattern: even well-intentioned or capable knowledge workers may opt out of critical engagement when organizational structures or task demands don't support it.
Microsoft's research suggests that without motivating workers to critique outputs, AI tools tend to shift cognition from production to oversight — and that can be a slippery slope.
'It's not that the tools themselves are bad, it's how we use them. We can use them in good, effective ways, but a lot of that comes down to the individual's motivation,' Mr. Castaldo says.
From boardrooms to classrooms, the real test will be how leaders cultivate environments where AI challenges us, not just does things for us.
76 per cent
That's how many employers are already using some kind of personality and skills tests in assessing job candidates, according to a recent report from TestGorilla.
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This article says that the classic '50-per-cent rule,' popularized by Robert Townsend, still holds weight – especially in today's fast-moving skills landscape. The rule advises giving proven internal candidates a shot, even if they only meet half the job's requirements. The missing piece? Support. With mentorship and a strong learning culture, employees can grow into roles while boosting retention and engagement.
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'This stage of life has largely been ignored. That's an injustice that we need to change, particularly when you think about not just the impact to one's own personal health, but the impact to the economy and to society over all. This is an issue that demands urgent attention and action,' says Janet Ko, co-founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada.
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Globe and Mail
36 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
LQWD Announces ATM Program to Support Ongoing Growth Initiatives
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LQWD Technologies Corp. (TSXV:LQWD) (OTCQX: LQWDF) (' LQWD ' or the ' Company ') a Canadian-based Bitcoin-backed company and provider of enterprise-grade infrastructure for the Bitcoin Lightning Network, is pleased to announce the launch of an at-the-market equity program (the ' ATM Program ') that allows the Company to issue up to $10,000,000 of common shares in the capital of the Company (the ' Common Shares ') from treasury to the public from time to time, at the Company's discretion. The ATM Program strengthens LQWD's ability to execute strategically and supports its strategy to rapidly accumulate Bitcoin as a core asset, which the Company uses to fuel and expand its global Lightning Network infrastructure. Bitcoin plays a vital role in LQWD's strategy, powering the Lightning Network and acting as a key long-term asset in the Company's treasury. Distributions of the Common Shares through the ATM Program will be made pursuant to the terms of an equity distribution agreement (the ' Equity Distribution Agreement ') dated July 15, 2025 between the Company and Haywood Securities Inc. (the ' Agent '). 'We continue to make strong progress, and with our recent financing now complete and the ATM in place, we're well-positioned to accelerate our next phase of growth,' said Shone Anstey, CEO of LQWD Technologies. ' Our vision is to lead in the Lightning Network ecosystem, with Bitcoin holdings remaining a core pillar of that strategy.' Pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement, upon delivery of a placement notice by the Company, if any, the Agent may sell the Common Shares in Canada only, including, without limitation, sales made directly on the TSX Venture Exchange (' TSXV ') or any other recognized marketplace upon which the Common Shares are listed or quoted or where the Common Shares are traded in Canada. No Common Shares will be offered or sold in the United States. The volume and timing of distributions under the ATM Program, if any, will be determined in the Company's sole discretion. The ATM Program will be effective until the earlier of the issuance and sale of all of the Common Shares issuable pursuant to the ATM Program and December 31, 2025, unless terminated prior to such date by the Company or the Agent. As Common Shares sold in the ATM Program will be issued and sold at the prevailing market price at the time of the sale, prices may vary among purchasers during the period of the distribution. The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the ATM Program for the continued development and growth of Company and its businesses, including future acquisitions, research and development, and marketing initiatives. Until applied, some or all of the net proceeds of the ATM Program, if any, may be held as cash balances in the Company's bank account or invested at the discretion of the Company. The offering under the ATM Program will be made pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated July 15, 2025 (the ' Prospectus Supplement ') to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus for the province of Québec and the amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus amending and restating the final short form base shelf prospectus dated April 11, 2024, for each of the provinces and territories of Canada, except Québec dated June 30, 2025 (the ' Base Shelf Prospectus '). Completion of the distribution under the Prospectus Supplement in its entirety will constitute a material fact and a material change for the Company in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The Prospectus Supplement, the Base Shelf Prospectus, and the Equity Distribution Agreement can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at and on the Company's website at Alternatively, the Agent will send copies of the Prospectus Supplement, the Base Shelf Prospectus and Equity Distribution Agreement, as applicable, upon request by email at ecm@ No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Common Shares, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About LQWD LQWD Technologies Corp. is advancing Bitcoin adoption through the Lightning Network, a second-layer solution that enables instant, low-cost transactions at scale. As one of the first public companies dedicated to Lightning infrastructure, LQWD operates a network of enterprise-grade nodes designed to earn transaction fees and support network liquidity. With a strategic Bitcoin treasury and infrastructure positioned for scalability, LQWD offers investors unique exposure to both the long-term appreciation of Bitcoin and the growing use of Lightning as a global payments solution. For further information: Ashley Garnot, President/Director Phone: 1.604.669.0912 Email: ashley@ Website: X: @LQWDTech Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain 'forward-looking statements'. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations and beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the ATM Program, including the completion and anticipated timing for completion of the ATM Program, the potential size of the ATM Program, the Company's intended use of the net proceeds of the ATM Program, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approvals of the TSXV, and the Company's development and growth plans. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as 'anticipate', 'proposed', 'estimates', 'would', 'expects', 'intends', 'plans', 'may', 'will', and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Trump and U.S. senator team up to promote energy and tech investments in Pennsylvania
From left, David McCormick, then the Republican Pennsylvania Senate candidate, greets Donald Trump at a rally in Harrisburg, Pa., on July 31, 2024. (Matt Rourke / AP Photo) PITTSBURGH — U.S. President Donald Trump and Sen. David McCormick of Pennsylvania touted tens of billions of dollars of energy and technology investments Tuesday as the president travelled to Pittsburgh for a conference with dozens of top executives to promote his energy and technology agenda. The Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, held at Carnegie Mellon University, comes as the state's political and business leaders are working to forge the city into a hub for robotics, artificial intelligence and energy. Trump has repeatedly pledged U.S. 'energy dominance' in the global market, and Pennsylvania — a swing state critical to his wins in 2016 and 2024 — is at the forefront of that agenda, in large part due to its coal and gas industry that the Republican administration has taken steps to bolster. At the summit, Trump Cabinet officials spoke of the need to produce as much energy as possible — especially from coal and natural gas — to beat China in the artificial intelligence race for the sake of economic and national security. 'The AI revolution is upon us,' Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said during a panel discussion. 'The Trump administration will not let us lose. We need to do clean, beautiful coal. We need to do natural gas, we need to embrace nuclear, we need to embrace it all because we have the power to do it and if we don't do it we're fools.' Some of the investments on a list released by McCormick's office were not necessarily brand new, while others were. Some involve massive data center projects, while others involve building power plants, expanding natural gas pipelines, upgrading power plants or improving electricity transmission networks. Google said it would invest US$25 billion on AI and data centre infrastructure over the next two years in PJM's mid-Atlantic electricity grid, while investment firm Brookfield said it had signed contracts to provide more than $3 billion of power to Google's data centers from two hydroelectric dams on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. Blackstone said it will spend $25 billion on data centers and power infrastructure in northeastern Pennsylvania, Frontier Group said it would transform the former Bruce Mansfield coal-fired power plant in western Pennsylvania into a new natural gas-fired plant and AI cloud computing firm CoreWeave said it will spend more than $6 billion to equip a data center in southcentral Pennsylvania. McCormick, a first-term Republican senator who organized the inaugural event, said the summit was meant to bring together top energy companies and AI leaders, global investors and labor behind Trump's energy policies and priorities. The list of participating CEOs includes leaders from global behemoths like Blackstone, Bridgewater, SoftBank, Amazon Web Services, BlackRock and ExxonMobil and local companies such as the Pittsburgh-based Gecko Robotics, which deploys AI to bolster energy capacity. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, also spoke. Administration officials speaking at the summit included White House crypto czar David Sacks, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Lutnick. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also attended. McCormick credited his wife, Dina Powell McCormick, with the idea for a summit. Powell McCormick served as Trump's deputy national security adviser in his first term and is a former Goldman Sachs executive who is now at BDT & MSD Partners, a merchant bank. Pittsburgh is home to Carnegie Mellon University, a prestigious engineering school, plus a growing industry of small robotics firms and a so-called ' AI Avenue ' that's home to offices for Google and other AI firms. It also sits in the middle of the prolific Marcellus Shale natural gas reservoir. 'What's going on is a rewiring of the economy, of the world over the next 15 years and that takes trillions and trillions and tens of trillions of dollars and it starts with power,' said Bruce Flatt, CEO of Brookfield, during a panel discussion. Pennsylvania has scored big investment wins in recent months, some driven by federal manufacturing policy and others by the ravenous need for electricity from the fast-growing AI business. Nippon Steel just bought U.S. Steel for almost $15 billion, getting Trump's approval after pledging to invest billions alone in U.S. Steel's Pittsburgh-area plants. Amazon will spend $20 billion on two data centre complexes in Pennsylvania, while the one-time Homer City coal-fired power plant is being turned into the nation's largest gas-fired power plant to fuel a data centre campus. Meanwhile, Microsoft says it is spending $1.6 billion to reopen the lone functional nuclear reactor on Three Mile Island under a long-term power supply agreement for its data centres. ___ Levy reported from Harrisburg, Pa. Seung Min Kim and Marc Levy, The Associated Press
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Kitchener partners with local startup to lay groundwork for autonomous shuttles
The City of Kitchener has partnered with a local startup to prepare for the potential use of autonomous shuttles in the city's downtown. GeoMate Inc., which is located in downtown Kitchener, creates high-definition maps that are used by autonomous vehicles. The tech company approached the city to create an AI-driven map to provide up-to-date information about on-going construction projects, road closures and future infrastructure projects to autonomous vehicles. "We are kind of taking mapping to the next level with the city and we're mapping all of the key infrastructure that will be needed for autonomous vehicles in the future," said Robert MacGregor, director of partnerships at GeoMate inc. The project is funded by the provincial government through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network. The goal is for Kitchener to one day have autonomous shuttles downtown that will better connect residents to the LRT and public spaces. Brian Bennett is the manager of business development for the city and says the partnership with GeoMate will see city staff provide data and in-kind services in exchange for the mapping. He says the project gives the city "an opportunity to be at the forefront around new innovation, especially with respect to autonomous vehicles. It allows us and gives us an opportunity to be a test bed for autonomous vehicles by automotive manufacturers going forward." How the maps are made The process for creating a map begins with GeoMate Inc. taking aerial photos of the city. The photos are then processed through the company's in-house AI that has been trained to identify key features in transportation networks. These include things like crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, lane changes and traffic lights. Factors like weather events can be added in real-time as they occur. Kitchener will provide the data about locations of road closures and construction projects that will then be added to the map. MacGregor says GeoMate started as a company that looked at how accessible sidewalks were for people in wheelchairs and with other mobility devices. Now, the company collects data that covers factors like how pedestrian and bike-friendly a part of the city is as well as how accessible a sidewalk is. This is done through a system MacGregor calls a "walking score" which is a rating from zero to 100 that indicates how pedestrian-friendly a location is, based on how close it is to places like grocery stores, schools, parks and restaurants. Testing site and shuttle services MacGregor hopes this project will bring autonomous vehicle testing to Kitchener. "The end goal is to make Kitchener the premier spot for automotive testing. We do a lot of work with automotive companies and a lot of that work happens in countries that aren't Canada," he said. MacGregor says the reason Kitchener is such an ideal spot for testing is because of its large tech hub, tight urban core, proximity to different types of infrastructure and the fact that it gets all four seasons. "For companies looking to test their solutions in the winter, for companies looking to, you know, test it in that slushy fall, spring season, Kitchener offers a really good place to do that," he said. Bennett says they see other practical uses, including shuttles that could move people from LRT and bus stops to other destinations. "We're looking at it from an opportunity to [have] autonomous shuttles downtown between our various structured parking facilities to businesses within the downtown or from the Borden Street LRT station to The Aud during events that are taking place," he said. The city is intrigued by autonomous shuttles, he added because they allow for "more flexibility and more frequency" than a traditional bus or shuttle. MacGregor adds that the maps have applications beyond autonomous vehicles. "These maps are also good for things like robot delivery. They are also just really good at identifying transportation barriers," MacGregor said. Full-fledged autonomy still years away The map is expected to be completed sometime next year. As for when autonomous vehicles will start being used in Kitchener, MacGregor says that the answer is complicated. With the Ontario government and the federal government, there are certain restrictions in place around autonomous driving," he said. MacGregor added that the regulations still allow for new technology to be developed while keeping people safe. "We're not just saying, 'Hey, put your autonomous vehicles on the road and let's see how it goes.' like some other places in North America might be," he said. Bennett says there's no timeline from the city's perspective but their hope is that automotive manufacturers see what they're doing and start planning their future research and development in Kitchener, growing the local economy. He noted before any testing were to take place in the city, though, there would be public consultations. "We want to ensure the safety and security of both the users of the vehicles as well as the general public going forward. So we would ensure that the appropriate safety measures are implemented and in place before this launches," Bennett said. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco already allow the autonomous ride-haling service Waymo to operate on their roads. MacGregor says he is more focused on testing in the near future. "For Ontario, I think we're a couple years away from full-fledged autonomy on the road. But we will see people start to test these vehicles sooner than later," he said.
