NEXT Podcast Episode 3: Examining the Ethical and Practical Limits of AI in Education
Surabaya, UNESA – The Education Technology Study Program at Surabaya State University held the EduTech International Podcast again, discussing how to use AI while fostering critical thinking. This podcast was broadcast live on Friday, December 23, 2025. This third session of the Network for EduTech Exchange Talks (NEXT) podcast featured MD. Mehidi Hasan, a student from Telkom University Bandung in Indonesia and originally from Bangladesh, will be the speaker. Cahya Hafid Abdillah, an Educational Technology student at UNESA, hosted the event. He discussed the ethical and practical boundaries of AI use in academia and the workplace.
In one of the interesting discussion sessions, Mehidi said that whether or not AI is seen as a tool for cheating depends on whether the user thinks for themselves. "If you just upload an assignment and ask AI to complete it without thinking for yourself, that's not helpful. It means you're not using your own brain," he said. He says that AI should be used to explain "why" and "how" something happens, so that the thinking process remains active.
He also provided several methods related to the steps in solving coding or complex theory problems. First, he said to divide the problem by breaking down big questions into smaller parts. This makes it possible to distinguish between what is understood and what is not yet understood. Second, try to solve the problem on your own before using AI assistance. Third, use AI to find explanations for concepts that are not yet understood, rather than just copying the answers. Fourth, always practice by asking AI to provide similar questions to ensure you understand what you're learning.
Although AI can learn quickly, Mehidi says that it's also important to have accurate data. He tells users to be doubtful and to always check information using sources like books, journals, or group discussions. This step is very important to reduce the risk of AI hallucinations and ensure that the information used remains relevant to the latest developments.
The student in the Software Engineering program suggests that we could end the conversation after using AI to help with our tasks. He gives tips by explaining the concept to you. He also says that banning AI in education is not the answer. Instead, teachers need to watch how students use AI so that they are ready for the future world of work.
At the end of the podcast, Mehidi shared a key rule to remember. He said that the point of using AI is to become a good learner, not a lazy one. "The most important rule for new students is to use this tool to speed up the process, but don't let it make you less smart. The key to making sure we stay smarter than the machines we use is finding the right balance between efficiency and mental effort," he concluded.
Writer: Cinta Fatima Az Zahra (2025A)
