A University of Texas at Austin professor has sparked a debate on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, suggesting that AI has not broken the college system but instead revealed longstanding deficiencies in teaching practices. Steven Mintz, a history professor, noted that the mass production of identical essays among students highlights a deeper issue within pedagogy itself.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Mintz expressed that the prevalent educational model—characterized by mass lectures, standardized prompts, and rubric-driven grading—has dehumanized the learning experience long before the advent of AI. He described this system as “industrialized education,” which he argues has prioritized efficiency over meaningful mentorship. “Machines can already do most of what we ask students to do—and often do it better,” he stated. “When 400 students can generate identical essays in 30 seconds, the problem isn’t the students. The problem is the assignment.”
Mintz’s observations came after he reviewed 400 essays submitted by his students, discovering a striking similarity in their content and structure. This prompted him to conclude that what may seem like a crisis of cheating is, in fact, a crisis in educational methodology. He advocates for a significant shift in how assessments are conducted, moving away from traditional take-home essays, which he believes have become obsolete. “AI can now do all that,” he emphasized, referring to the core skills of research, contextual understanding, and argument construction.
In his communication with Business Insider, Mintz detailed his approach to assessment, stating that he plans to focus on in-class writing assignments, oral presentations without detailed notes, and student-led discussions. He recommended eliminating outside assignments graded for credit, proposing instead that assessments should be based exclusively on activities observable in person. He envisions a scenario where AI is tasked with “mastery learning,” which includes basic facts and conceptual frameworks, thereby allowing students to concentrate on “inquiry learning,” where they can explore questions and build complex arguments.
Mintz underscored the importance of fostering essential literacies such as research, writing, numeracy, and critical reading, but in a manner that encourages creativity and independent thought. He believes that graduates should be equipped with skills that make them not only culturally literate but also prepared for future careers. “We must ensure that students graduate with the ability to conduct research, write and speak clearly and analytically, read closely and critically, be numerate, culturally literate, and well prepared for their future career,” he said. He warned that adhering to outdated methods would lead to a decline in public trust in higher education and diminish the perceived value of degrees.
According to Mintz, AI serves as a mirror, reflecting the extent to which universities have relied on mechanical forms of learning and strayed from the core tenets of education. He argues that “AI doesn’t threaten to dehumanize higher education; it reveals how thoroughly we’ve already dehumanized it—and offers us one last chance to recover what we’ve lost.” Looking ahead, he envisions the next five years as a critical period for reinvention in higher education.
“We must reinvent assessment,” Mintz stated, calling for courses that focus on “slow reading, deep questions, ethical dilemmas, historical reasoning, data fluency, and creative problem-solving.” He urged institutions to invest in teaching methods that prioritize seminars, mentorship models, undergraduate research, and experiential learning. As universities grapple with the implications of AI on education, they face a pivotal choice: to either continue down a path of increased surveillance and standardized testing or to reimagine their educational frameworks around aspects that machines cannot replicate.
Mintz concluded by saying, “This is our moment to redesign—not defend—the future of learning,” urging educators to seize the opportunity presented by AI to foster a more enriching and human-centered educational experience.
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