Upholding the Humanistic Foundations of Education Amid the Technological Tide

By Xu Yanli

Guangming Daily (Page 15,January 6, 2026 )

At present, artificial intelligence is developing at a rapid pace, and profound transformations are unfolding across all sectors. Education, as a vital endeavor for the transmission of civilization and the shaping of the future, is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. When AI can provide massive amounts of information, instantly generate texts, and solve complex mathematical problems, the core value of education lies precisely in cultivating those capabilities that are “non-automatable”—such as critical thinking, emotional cognition, and value judgment. “Non-automatable” capabilities require “non-automatable” forms of training; they demand the safeguarding of humanistic literacy and the empowerment of educational innovation.

Foundational Knowledge as the Cognitive Cornerstone of the Digital-Intelligent Era

In the era of artificial intelligence, the modes of acquiring knowledge are undergoing profound transformation. In the face of information overload and the impact of AI, how to learn efficiently and internalize knowledge has become a central issue in education.

AI can process data efficiently and generate seemingly professional answers, but its essence lies in the reorganization of information, lacking the uniquely human capacities for value judgment and emotional experience. Genuine knowledge, however, is not a simple accumulation of information; rather, it is structured understanding formed through digestion and integration by an individual’s cognitive system. Uncritical acceptance of information cannot lead to effective cognition. In the digital-intelligent era, cultivating deep understanding, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving abilities is inseparable from a solid foundation of knowledge.

Robust foundational knowledge is like the foundation of a grand building—it requires repeated practice, persistent memorization, and sustained accumulation through reading and recitation. Research in cognitive science reveals that memory and innovation are not opposites; both problem discovery and problem solving rely on the support of memory systems. The saying “Read three hundred Tang poems, and even if you cannot compose poetry, you will still be able to recite it” vividly illustrates the role of memory in fostering innovation. Through repeated recitation, what is accumulated is not merely words and sentences, but also a nuanced grasp of rhythm and sound, and a deep perception of linguistic beauty.

This principle is equally evident in arts education: innovative creation often arises from rigorous traditional training. As Pablo Picasso once said, “Learn the rules like a professional, so you can break them like an artist.”

Therefore, in the digital-intelligent era, memory, practice, and the accumulation of knowledge continue to possess irreplaceable value. Innovative education should not negate foundational training; rather, it should incorporate it into a more scientific educational framework—one that takes structured knowledge as its foundation and cultivates higher-order cognitive abilities suited to the future.

Humanistic Literacy as a Spiritual Shield Against Technological Alienation

At present, the degradation of language ability is quietly eroding the cognitive foundations of students. Relevant surveys indicate that “being at a loss for words” has become a linguistic predicament faced by many young people. This is by no means merely a problem of limited vocabulary; it is a warning sign of declining capacity for deep thinking.

Language, as the cornerstone of human civilization, carries the crucial functions of knowledge transmission and value consensus. Turing Award laureate Joseph Sifakis has pointed out that “when language and concepts deteriorate, values begin to collapse. Language (and concepts) carry our knowledge and shared understanding; when words lose their common conceptual value, social cohesion is eroded by an atmosphere that opposes rigor and seeks vagueness. The rules and standards of rigorous thinking and clear expression subsequently disappear.” In algorithm-dominated information environments, this deterioration becomes particularly pronounced—when precise expression gives way to emotional venting and rational thinking retreats, cyberspace easily turns into a carnival of linguistic impoverishment. More seriously, such degradation can form a vicious cycle: the weaker language ability becomes, the more people rely on simplified expression; the simpler the expression, the further cognitive ability deteriorates.

In response to this challenge, reviving the tradition of reading classics is especially important. Over thousands of years, Chinese culture has developed distinctive ways of thinking, codes of conduct, and value systems. The dialectical wisdom of The Analects, the grandeur and depth of Records of the Grand Historian, the aesthetic realms of classical poetry, and the refined philosophical reasoning of Neo-Confucianism—these classics are not only splendid cultural legacies but also spiritual sources for sharpening thought and nurturing the inner self.

The process of deeply reading classics is, in essence, a form of intellectual exercise: grasping the argumentative reasoning of works to hone logic; savoring classical language to refine expression; and absorbing cultural essence to shape independent judgment.

In the digital-intelligent era, the value of humanistic literacy becomes ever more prominent. It is not only a spiritual shield against technological alienation, but also the key to preserving the uniqueness of human thinking. When AI can easily generate fluent texts, the true advantage of human beings lies precisely in deep thinking and cultural understanding. Through systematic humanistic education, we can not only avoid becoming mere appendages of technology, but also maintain the autonomy of thought and spirit.

Constructing a New Educational Paradigm for the Digital-Intelligent Era

The key to dispelling technological myths in the digital-intelligent era lies in building a symbiotic relationship between technology and education—using technology to expand the boundaries of education, while cultivating individuals who can master technology rather than be mastered by it. Achieving this goal requires valuing cultural inheritance and cognitive development, and steadfastly upholding the fundamental mission of education amid innovation.

AI can serve as a powerful auxiliary tool—providing personalized practice, simulating real-world scenarios, and expanding learning resources—but the core mission of education ultimately depends on teachers’ professional guidance and the nurturing environment of schools. Genuine educational innovation is always grounded in a deep understanding of the fundamental questions of “how people learn” and “how people grow.”

Education in the digital-intelligent era should adhere to the principle of “human-centered foundations with technology as a means.” At the level of knowledge, it should strengthen systematic mastery of core concepts and build interdisciplinary frameworks; at the level of ability, it should cultivate critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills; at the emotional level, it should enhance moral judgment and self-awareness.

From this perspective, the teaching methods of “chemical mahjong” and “chemical Rubik’s cubes” developed by Shenzhen Qilin No. 2 Middle School offer an inspiring practical example. While maintaining the systematic nature of knowledge, the school employs game-based mechanisms to stimulate students’ intrinsic motivation: the periodic table becomes a set of level-clearing codes, and chemical equations transform into intellectual puzzles. Learning is no longer a burden of mechanical memorization, but an engaging journey of intellectual exploration. This sense of immersion through full participation, the burst of creativity, and the humanistic emotional interaction involved are precisely what AI finds difficult to replace.

Educational innovation that remains true to its core mission must awaken human subjectivity, use technology to expand cognitive horizons, and, more importantly, cultivate the core qualities that define human nature, enabling technology to better serve the comprehensive development of individuals. Only by adhering to the principle of “humanistic values as the foundation, technology as the instrument” can we cultivate a new generation that possesses both scientific literacy and humanistic sensibility, thereby laying a solid talent foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.