Michael Strong Highlights "High Agency" and Critical Questioning as Essential Skills in the AI Era

In an increasingly AI-driven world, the ability to ask good questions and cultivate "high agency" has become more crucial than ever, according to educator Michael Strong. Strong, founder of The Socratic Experience, emphasized that while artificial intelligence excels at generating answers at scale, the true advantage lies with individuals who can think independently and critically evaluate information. This perspective underscores a shift in educational priorities, moving beyond rote learning to foster deeper inquiry.

Strong's recent social media post articulated this viewpoint, stating, "AI has made one skill more important than ever: the ability to ask good questions." He further elaborated, "Machines can produce answers at an incredible scale, but without strong questioning, none of those answers matter." This highlights a growing concern that passive learning approaches may leave students vulnerable to technological displacement.

The concept of "high agency" refers to an individual's capacity to act independently and make their own free choices, taking responsibility for their actions and shaping their environment. In an educational context, this translates to students who actively seek understanding, challenge assumptions, and utilize tools like AI to expand their capabilities rather than being directed by them. Strong noted, "People love talking about the latest AI tools, but the tools themselves have never been the real advantage. High agency is."

Experts in education and technology echo Strong's sentiments, emphasizing that critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to formulate insightful questions are paramount. As AI automates many routine tasks, human skills that involve creativity, ethical reasoning, and strategic questioning become indispensable. This shift necessitates a re-evaluation of curricula to prioritize inquiry-based learning and the development of self-directed learners.

Strong's work with The Socratic Experience, a virtual school focused on Socratic dialogue, exemplifies this philosophy by fostering intellectual autonomy and critical thinking through open-ended questioning. His approach suggests that educational models must evolve to empower students to navigate a complex, AI-augmented future by developing intrinsic motivation and the capacity to think for themselves. The ultimate goal is to equip individuals with the adaptability and intellectual curiosity that technology cannot replicate.