Hans Zimmer’s recent discussion about AI in music sparked some important reflections about AI’s role in education. While AI is incredibly powerful at processing and generating information, it lacks something fundamental: lived experience. This distinction is crucial for educators and students alike.

AI is “artificial intelligence,” not “artificial experience.” This becomes particularly relevant in education, where we often see students turning to AI for assignments without first developing their own understanding or perspective. The result? Technically fluent papers that lack depth, personal insight, or genuine understanding.

Just as Zimmer emphasizes in music, the real value in education comes from doing and experiencing. AI should be viewed as a tool to enhance our learning journey, not replace the experience itself. When students rely too heavily on AI without first developing their own ideas or understanding, they risk producing work that, while superficially polished, misses the core essence of true learning.

What’s particularly inspiring is Zimmer’s perspective on dealing with AI’s challenges. Rather than getting caught up in legal battles over AI’s use of existing works, he advocates for focusing on creating more music. This wisdom translates perfectly to education - instead of worrying about policing AI use, we should channel our energy into fostering creativity and authentic learning experiences. It’s about building something new rather than defending against potential misuse.

Moreover, we must remember that humans bear the ultimate responsibility for their work. Just as musicians are accountable for their compositions, students must take ownership of their learning outcomes. We cannot blame AI for superficial or misguided results - the responsibility lies with us to use these tools thoughtfully and purposefully.

The key takeaway? Experience first, AI second. Like Zimmer’s approach to music creation, our focus should be on generating new ideas and experiences rather than getting caught up in the limitations or potential misuse of AI tools.

Original podcast episode: Hans Zimmer Isn’t Scared of AI