OpenAI's Leah Belsky: Don't Treat ChatGPT as Just an 'Answer Machine'

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Leah Belsky emphasizes the importance of using AI as a learning tool in education, not merely for answers. OpenAI is forging ahead with ideas to integrate AI effectively in learning environments.

📰 Embracing AI in Education: A Chat with Leah Belsky

Leah Belsky, OpenAI's Vice President of Education, is throwing down the gauntlet for students. She insists that in today’s AI-driven world, students need to harness tools like ChatGPT, not just to find answers but to learn, grow, and channel their creativity!

💡 The Tool, Not the Answer Machine

On a recent podcast episode, Leah shared her thoughts on how big a role AI plays in schooling. "Luddites have no place in an AI-powered world," she declared. Students leaving educational institutions today must have a solid grasp of AI's role—be it in job applications or in their first days at work. The pivotal part? Using AI to enhance critical thinking rather than as a shortcut to answers!

🎓 Start Early with AI

Belsky highlights that AI education should kick off early. Graduates today should not just be familiar with AI; they should know how to use it in their daily lives. But here’s the kicker: Many schools currently adopt a defensive stance against AI, trying to restrict its use under the banner of cheating. This brings us to the modern-day debate—does AI lead to