The AI Debate in Education: Promise, Peril, and a Changing World - Ryan Abramson

Artificial intelligence isn’t just a headline anymore—it’s in our classrooms, our workplaces, and our everyday lives. From Philadelphia to Penn State Lehigh Valley in Upper Saucon Township, and across Bucks County communities like Yardley, Newtown, and Quakertown, people are asking the same big question: is AI helping us learn more… or is it making us lazy?

Some see AI as a creativity booster, giving students and professionals new ways to solve problems. Others worry it’s simply a shortcut—one that erodes the skills we’ve always relied on as proof of understanding.

This tension came into sharp focus thanks to Stanford professor Jure Leskovec, who recently shared that he returned to handwritten exams at the request of his students. These weren’t nostalgic professors clinging to the past. It was the students themselves who pushed for it—because they wanted a way to show what they knew, not what an algorithm could generate.

That story captures the heart of the AI debate in education: how do we balance innovation with integrity?

Learning vs. Cheating: The Student Dilemma

It’s no secret that students are experimenting with tools like ChatGPT and other AI platforms to write essays, summarize chapters, or even complete assignments. Some colleges have banned AI outright. Others, like Leskovec, are dusting off blue books and going “old school” to ensure exams reflect actual student knowledge.

The challenge is that AI isn’t as simple as a calculator. Calculators eventually became part of the learning process because math educators could design new ways to assess problem-solving. But AI is different—it’s unpredictable, often “hallucinating” incorrect answers, and blurring the line between assistance and replacement.

So the questions multiply:

• What counts as authentic learning in this new era?

• How do teachers measure critical thinking when AI can mimic it?

• Where do human skills end, and machine skills begin?

• And here’s a big one: could AI actually help higher education navigate its enrollment crisis?

These aren’t just concerns at Stanford—they’re very real for professors in the Lehigh Valley, for students across Bucks County, and for institutions like Penn State Lehigh Valley where I’m proud to contribute.

As I write in my Penn State University blog, AI is transforming how people find information—search results are increasingly delivered without clicks, which means content creators must compete not just for ranking but for being the source AI chooses to surface. Abramson argues that building deep, authoritative content; incorporating FAQs; maintaining strong brand presence; and using multimedia are key strategies to gain visibility in AI‐driven discovery. For businesses and professionals, being “AI-visible” is becoming as important—if not more so—than traditional SEO. The shift heralds opportunities for clearer, faster answers for users—but it also raises stakes around accuracy, transparency, and credibility. AI Beyond

Education: The Global Ripple

The classroom is only one piece of the puzzle. AI is driving change everywhere—from Bethlehem’s small businesses to massive data hubs in Dallas and global defense centers.

• In healthcare, AI helps doctors spot disease earlier and customize treatment.

• In manufacturing, robots powered by AI optimize production lines.

• In defense, governments invest in AI for cybersecurity and battlefield decisions.

• In communications, where I focus my career, AI is rewriting the way we reach audiences, personalize messages, and build brands.

At Oakridge Leaders, I’ve seen firsthand how AI tools can enhance strategic communications—helping with audience analysis, SEO, and engagement. But I’ve also seen the limitations: AI lacks authenticity. It doesn’t understand nuance, culture, or trust.

That’s where human storytellers come in.

The Data Center Explosion

What many people don’t see is the infrastructure powering all this. Every AI query, video, or image requires processing power—and that means servers, lots of them.

Billions are being invested into new data centers, and the ripple effects are huge:

• Energy consumption: AI centers devour electricity, raising sustainability debates.

• Local impact: Towns like Newtown, Yardley, and Quakertown could soon attract developers eager for space and favorable zoning.

• Global stakes: Whoever controls AI infrastructure controls economic and defense power.

This isn’t just a tech story. It’s a community one. Here in Middletown Township and across the Lehigh Valley, conversations about energy, zoning, and economic growth will soon be inseparable from AI’s footprint.

Ryan Abramson: Reskilling and the Future of Work

Another under-the-radar impact of AI is its disruption of hiring. Entry-level positions—often stepping stones for young professionals—are shrinking as AI handles more routine tasks. At the same time, demand for “AI skills” is exploding on freelance platforms like Upwork.

The paradox? Companies don’t want to hire beginners, but they desperately need domain experts who can guide AI responsibly. Fact-checkers, legal reviewers, and skilled communicators are more valuable than ever.

For schools like Penn State, the challenge is preparing students to not just use AI but to partner with it effectively. For businesses in Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley, it’s about reskilling teams and investing in human expertise alongside AI adoption.

The Human Factor: Why Communication Still Wins

For all the talk about machines taking over, one truth stands firm: people still crave authentic human connection. AI might generate words, but it can’t replicate empathy, trust, or the lived experiences that shape leadership.

That’s why I’ve built my career around strategic communications. Whether speaking in Philadelphia, consulting in Bethlehem, or collaborating with Penn State Lehigh Valley in Upper Saucon Township, my mission is to help individuals and organizations tell authentic stories that resonate.

Because no matter how powerful AI becomes, it can’t replace authenticity. And as I often remind my clients across Bucks County, from Yardley to Quakertown, communication is not just about information—it’s about connection.

Risks, Rewards, and Balance

The AI debate in education is really the same debate we’re having as a society. Yes, there are risks: cheating, misinformation, job displacement. But there are also undeniable benefits: innovation, efficiency, and opportunity.

The path forward lies in balance:

• Educators must blend AI literacy with critical thinking skills.

• Businesses must invest in both AI adoption and human expertise.

• Communities must weigh the social and economic effects of data infrastructure.

• Individuals must keep learning, adapting, and growing alongside technology.

Looking Ahead

As Leskovec said, we’re still in the “solution-finding phase.” Paper exams may be one answer in classrooms. Fact-checking may be another in journalism or communications.

But the larger solution requires us to rethink AI not as an inevitable replacement, but as a flawed yet powerful partner.

Here in Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia to the Lehigh Valley, these questions aren’t abstract. They’re shaping our schools, our businesses, and our communities. AI is here to stay. The challenge is how we choose to live with it—and how we ensure the human voice remains at the center.

About the Author

Ryan Abramson is a Bucks County–based communications strategist, consultant, and educator. As principal of Oakridge Leaders, he helps organizations build authentic, data-driven communication strategies. He is also affiliated with Penn State Lehigh Valley in Upper Saucon Township and maintains professional platforms at ryantabramson.com and ryanabramson.net.