Incentivizing the Mental Gym: Working Out Your Brain Before Supplementing with AI

Idea 31 for 2025: Rethinking Higher Education in the Age of AI

A few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast recorded in September about the future of higher education and the rapid rise of generative AI. This insightful discussion was part of The Globe & Mail's Machines Like Us podcast series, moderated by Taylor Owen.

Created by Gemini by Google. October 31 2025.

The podcast featured Conor Grennan, the chief AI architect at NYU’s Stern School of Business, and Niall Ferguson, a senior fellow at Stanford and Harvard, who co-founded the University of Austin. Their conversation revealed a surprising alignment in their views. Ferguson has argued that universities may need to ban AI from classrooms to survive. However, both he and Grennan suggest that, similar to how we promote physical fitness, we should also encourage mental fitness.

1. How Students are Using AI in Higher Education

The speed of AI adoption on campus is astonishing. Just months after ChatGPT was released, a survey found that 90% of college students were already using it. Today, that number is likely even higher. Students are not just using AI to write essays; they engage with it at every stage of their academic journey. They generate ideas, conduct research, and even do their assigned readings with AI assistance.

However, Ferguson raises a critical concern. Most of this usage is to "cut corners." Grennan notes that students are incentivized to delegate tasks because "the only thing that matters is grades." A paper generated quickly by ChatGPT can seem like a shortcut to better future prospects. This trend shifts the educational focus away from genuine inquiry and toward maximizing efficiency and grades.

2. What Skills and Abilities are Being Eroded by AI Usage?

The most immediate danger of cognitive offloading is the erosion of core intellectual skills. Ferguson argues that if students delegate the work of reading, thinking, and writing to AI, "you’re not learning to do those things." Writing is not just an output; it is a vital form of intellectual "muscle flexing." By allowing AI to perform these demanding tasks, students risk incurring "cognitive offloading" and atrophy.

Ferguson uses a powerful analogy: the "obese brain." Just as we commit to physical exercise to stay fit, intellectual work is necessary to build "very, very fit brains" that can absorb complex data, think analytically, and communicate effectively. The consequence of constant reliance on AI is a generation that can produce work, "but not necessarily original thought," potentially leading humanity into a "new dark age."

Moreover, Grennan points out that students who skip the work do not develop the "muscle" to recognize "what quality looks like." This lack of foundational knowledge prevents them from spotting "slop," outdated information, or believable AI "hallucinations" (false outputs) when they enter the professional world.

3. The Mental Gym and the Cloister and Starship Analogy

To counteract this danger and re-incentivize the usage of human brains, Ferguson proposes the "Cloister and Starship" model. This vision creates a new structure for education that intentionally separates mandatory intellectual training from AI-augmented learning:

• The Cloister (Foundation): This phase involves a mandatory period where students are denied access to AI, forcing them to enter a "mental gym." This protected time is dedicated to building core competencies—reading, thinking, writing, and foundational mathematics—using just their brains. This phase instills the mental discipline required for independent thought.

  
  

• The Starship (Augmentation): Once equipped with this essential mental discipline, students can be "unleashed and let into the starship to use large language models." AI then becomes, as Grennan notes, potentially "the greatest teaching and learning tool ever created," capable of providing a bespoke, one-on-one tutorial experience that accelerates learning.

  
  

4. Connecting Mental Fitness to Real-World Success

The key to incentivizing this model lies in connecting mental fitness to real-world success. Firstly, only the "super fit" brain will be capable of using AI optimally—by asking the right questions, providing the right context, and, most importantly, evaluating the AI's output. Secondly, the job market is already applying external pressure: elite employers are moving beyond the hollow signal of a high GPA. They are seeking individuals with "real intellectual brilliance."

The ultimate message for learning advisors is clear: we must shift the focus from grading the output to testing the cognitive input. Establishing guardrails, like supervised exams and oral assessments, can make delegation impossible. This approach forces students to engage the cognitive engine that AI currently encourages them to switch off.

5. Embracing a New Educational Paradigm

As we navigate this transformative landscape, it is crucial to embrace a new educational paradigm. We must prioritize the development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. These competencies will be essential for thriving in a future where AI plays an increasingly significant role.

We should also consider how to foster collaboration between humans and AI. By leveraging AI as a tool rather than a crutch, we can enhance our learning experiences. This approach will empower students to harness the potential of AI while maintaining their intellectual integrity.

Conclusion: The Future of Learning

In conclusion, the future of higher education in the age of AI presents both challenges and opportunities. By rethinking our approach to learning, we can cultivate a generation of thinkers who are not only adept at using technology but also capable of original thought. As we move forward, let us commit to fostering an environment that values mental fitness, creativity, and collaboration.

By doing so, we can ensure that our educational systems not only survive but thrive in the face of rapid technological change. Together, we can navigate these complex challenges and create a brighter future for learning.

---wix---