Artificial intelligence is no longer just copying human work it is solving problems once thought to require uniquely human creativity. That was the message from Dr. Po-Shen Loh, a Carnegie Mellon University math professor and social entrepreneur, who spoke recently about the challenges AI poses for education, problem-solving, and society.

Loh, a former national coach of the U.S. Math Olympiad team, warned that while AI opens exciting new possibilities, it also risks weakening key human skills if used poorly especially among students.

AI Proves It Can Be Creative

For years, many experts argued that machines could never match human creativity. Loh admitted he once believed the same. But recent evidence has shifted his view.

He pointed to last year’s International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), one of the world’s toughest math competitions. Of the six original problems presented, AI built by Google managed to solve four.

“These questions are designed to be new and unlike anything seen before,” Loh explained. “National coaches check carefully to make sure they are original. Yet AI could solve more of them than I could. That shows it can now demonstrate creativity, not just repetition.”

According to Loh, this changes the debate. If AI can generate fresh solutions in mathematics — a field that thrives on originality — then its potential to create in other areas is likely even greater.

Why Students Relying on AI May Be at Risk

While professionals may benefit from using AI to speed up tasks, Loh stressed that students must avoid becoming overly dependent on it.

“In schools, a big problem is kids using AI to write their essays,” he said. “But the point of schoolwork isn’t just the final product. Writing is how you train your brain to think clearly. If you let AI do that for you, you won’t develop those skills.”

Loh compared it to skipping exercise: “It’s like saying, instead of running a mile for fitness, I’ll just drive my car for a mile. You get no exercise that way. Similarly, if AI does your writing, your mental fitness doesn’t grow.”

The danger, he warned, is a generation that struggles with logic, analysis, and independent thought — the very skills needed to judge whether AI output can be trusted.

Creativity as Problem-Solving

To Loh, true creativity is not only about art or literature — it is about solving problems you have never seen before.

When interviewing high school students who want to work with him, he often gives them math problems outside their experience. He watches how they react when they face something unfamiliar.

“The goal isn’t whether they solve it immediately,” he explained. “It’s whether they can take new hints, process them quickly, and combine them into a solution. That’s creativity: synthesizing new ideas in real time.”

This skill, Loh argued, will be crucial in a future where AI takes on routine tasks. Humans will need to bring value by identifying problems worth solving and working with others in innovative ways.

The Human Advantage: Empathy and Value Creation

Although machines may surpass humans in speed and calculation, Loh insisted that people still hold a unique advantage: caring about other people.

“The only way people will want to team up with you in the future is if you create real value for them,” he said. “If you’re selfish, nobody will want to partner with you. But if you’re motivated by empathy and collaboration, you’ll always have a role.”

He believes this ability to delight others — to make them feel valued — will define success in the age of AI.

AI as a Tool for Human Understanding

Loh does not see AI only as a threat. He uses it himself, but in a very deliberate way.

He described visiting Nashville, Tennessee, and hearing a talented singer perform. Curious about how competitive it is to get a spot on Broadway there, he asked AI for information.

But he didn’t just want AI’s summary — he wanted the sources, links, and context, which helped him build his own understanding.

“I wasn’t asking AI to write a report for me,” Loh said. “I was using it to strengthen my logic and expand my own knowledge. That’s how AI can make us smarter — if we use it to simulate the world in our own heads.”

Education as Training for Thought

As a professor, Loh emphasizes interactive teaching. He rarely lectures in the traditional sense. Instead, he writes problems on the board, admits he doesn’t remember the solution, and invites students to generate ideas.

“I want the classroom to be about thinking together,” he said. “Students suggest ideas, I give feedback, and we build solutions as a group.”

Through his nonprofit work, Loh has scaled this approach nationwide. His program trains high school students to coach younger kids in math, while professional actors teach the teen coaches how to be charismatic communicators.

“It’s a win-win,” he explained. “The middle schoolers learn math and critical thinking. The high school coaches build leadership and communication skills. And the actors get steady work training the next generation.”

Building a Network of Thoughtful Leaders

For Loh, the bigger mission is not only about math. It is about building a culture of thoughtful, empathetic leaders who can handle future challenges.

“Technology will make the problems we face as a society even bigger,” he said. “We need networks of kind, clever people who trust each other. If there’s ever a civilization-level challenge, these are the people who can rise to meet it.”

His organization’s structure ensures that high school mentors work in pairs, strengthening their bonds and forming lifelong friendships. Loh believes this human network could one day be crucial to solving large-scale crises.

The Risk of Losing Independent Thinking

One of Loh’s deepest concerns is that AI could make society more vulnerable to manipulation.

“If people lose the ability to think, it becomes much easier to deceive them,” he warned. “Anyone with an agenda — and everyone has one — could mislead people if they no longer question things.”

He stressed the importance of critical thinking, especially as AI grows more convincing. “AI will sound like a reasonable person. It may seem like you have the whole story, but you don’t. That’s why we need to stay sharp.”

Bias and the Marketplace of Ideas

Loh also raised concerns about bias in AI. Since most large models are developed by only a handful of companies, their outputs inevitably reflect narrow perspectives.

“It’s like saying the world has billions of viewpoints, but only five matter,” he said. “That’s dangerous. We need variety.”

To counter this, Loh personally consumes news from outlets across the political spectrum. “I read CNN and Fox News every day,” he explained. “I want to see where they disagree, because that’s where the truth lies.”

He believes this habit will be even more vital in an AI-driven world where biases may be hidden behind seemingly neutral answers.

Social Entrepreneurship: Profit With Purpose

Beyond teaching, Loh describes himself as a social entrepreneur. He believes solutions to real problems should not only help people but also be financially sustainable.

“A good social enterprise should make a profit on every person it helps,” he argued. “That ensures it can last.”

His own program charges families who can pay while subsidizing access for those who cannot, creating a self-supporting cycle.

“It’s about finding win-win structures,” he said. “If we can prove people will pay for solutions, then we can scale them worldwide.”

Why Thoughtfulness Matters

At the heart of Loh’s message is one word: thoughtfulness.

“I’ve seen what happens when people focus only on competition or proving they’re better than others,” he reflected. “That path often leads to stress and emptiness. But when your philosophy is to delight other people, life becomes more fulfilling — and success follows naturally.”

He encourages young people to rediscover the joy of thinking for themselves, of adding their own creative twist to the world, rather than relying solely on efficient tools like AI.

“Life is fun when you get to inject your own ideas,” he said. “That’s what makes us human.”

Looking Ahead: Optimism Through Community

Despite his concerns, Loh remains optimistic. He draws hope from the hundreds of students he mentors who are both brilliant and compassionate.

“They make me believe the future can be bright,” he said. “If we can build communities of kind, clever people, then no matter what challenges technology brings, humanity will be ready.”

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