About this episode

Dr. Olga Klymenko discusses the implications of AI in education and the importance of maintaining human engagement in the learning process.

"Teaching is not only about giving information, right? It's not about giving facts or explaining concepts or putting things together. It's creating a certain environment where learning is happening and I still think that humans are better at this than AI.” ~ Dr. Olga Klymenko A recent study from MIT shows that over-reliance on LLMs for writing accumulates cognitive debt (weaker brain connectivity, less ownership over the finished product). Dr. Olga Klymenko, instructor and language expert, is grappling with how to address over-reliance on AI writing in her classroom. Olga doesn't believe in banning or even policing the use of AI. Instead, she believes the answer lies in choosing to engage—that is, aiming to be collaborators in the process of knowledge building. Olga shares her insights, including: Cultural mismatch and underrepresentation of voices for Indigenous languages Cognitive costs of AI shortcuts and the fallibility of AI-plagiarism checkers Winning trust with students about AI-use (showing limitations; creating learner agency) During the show, Olga and host (Donna) mention: MIT Study: Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for…

People in this episode

Host: Donna

Guest: Dr. Olga Klymenko

Topics covered

• AI literacy
• Critical awareness
• Cognitive debt
• Indigenous languages
• AI in education

Keywords

• AI literacy
• cognitive debt
• education
• Indigenous languages
• AI writing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MIT, University of London, National University of Donetsk, Lethbridge Polytechnic

Products: ChatGPT

Books & works: Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task

Places: Seychelles, University of Seychelles

More episodes of Learning Innovation: The Teaching & Learning Podcast

• E78: Community in Motion: Running, Learning, and Personal Growth · May 21, 2026 · 42 min
• E77: Building Empathy and Confidence in the Classroom through Virtual Reality · March 17, 2026 · 53 min
• E76: BHM Student Panel 🇳🇬 Nigerian Edition 🇳🇬 — Navigating equity, community, and belonging in Canada · February 27, 2026 · 56 min
• E75: Research and Reconciliation — Fostering Healing and Community through Public Safety Applied Research · February 3, 2026 · 42 min
• E74: Lethbridge City Scholars — Building Stronger Bridges Between Campus and Community · January 6, 2026 · 47 min
• E72: Architecting Our Future — Lethbridge Polytechnic's Strategy Amid National Shifts · November 4, 2025 · 34 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Learning Innovation: The Teaching & Learning Podcast podcast page.