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Over the past few years, Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have changed and reshaped the way students approach learning, research, and creativity. Passing from text-generator systems like Chat GPT or Deep Seek to image and presentation generators, these tools now support everything from brainstorming to exam preparation. 

From my personal experience I was able to see both sides of this transformation: the empowering and the worrying. 

On one hand, Ai has increased accessibility and efficiency to studying. When I struggle to grasp a topic or a concept, I can ask Generative AI for a clear and simplified explanation before going to class. This early support has helped me prepare questions and engage more critically with the class and the professor. In this sense, AI has functioned as a learning companion that was filling the gaps in understanding and supporting self-directed study. 

Moreover, AI was also able to centralize the resources that once you could only find opening  multiple platforms. In the past years, especially for exam preparation, many students would rely on websites such as Quizlet or Studydrive, or random online notes to find summaries or practice materials. Today is enough to upload readings and ask Generative AI to create flashcards,quizzes, or case-based questions tailored for the exam. This not only saves time but it also helps for active recall, which is according to cognitive psychology one of the most effective learning techniques (Owen, 2022).

On the other hand, this convenience also comes with a cost. This overreliance on AI can potentially lead to intellectual laziness and decline in deep learning. When the answers are just one click away, the incentive to think critically or applying problem-solving decreases. 

Recent research has already suggested that AI-assisted writing can reduce creativity and ability to acquire knowledge independently (Kasneci et al., 2023). In addition, AI tools from time to time produce inaccurate or biased information, and students may affect their learning negatively.

In my perspective, the key lies in how we use AI. If used as a “studying buddy” instead of substitute, generative AI could strengthen understanding and might even boost creativity. 

On the contrary, if used passively, it can weaken both. Universities could improve teaching methods to educate students not only what AI can do, but how to question,verify, and refine its output (Chen et al., 2020).

References: 

• Chen, L., Chen, P., & Lin, Z. (2020). Artificial Intelligence in Education: a Review. IEEE Access, 8(8), 75264–75278. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2988510
• Kasneci, E., Sessler, K., Küchemann, S., Bannert, M., Dementieva, D., Fischer, F., Gasser, U., Groh, G., Günnemann, S., Hüllermeier, E., Krusche, S., Kutyniok, G., Michaeli, T., Nerdel, C., Pfeffer, J., Poquet, O., Sailer, M., Schmidt, A., Seidel, T., & Stadler, M. (2023). ChatGPT for good? on Opportunities and Challenges of Large Language Models for Education. Learning and Individual Differences, 103(102274). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102274
• Owen, M. (2022, February 21). Active Recall: The Most Effective High-Yield Learning Technique – Osmosis Blog. Osmosis Blog. https://www.osmosis.org/blog/active-recall-the-most-effective-high-yield-learning-technique

5/5 (1)

In today’s changing environment, supply chains across the world are facing constant market disruptions from pandemics, geopolitical instability, and finally climate change. As a consequence,there is a growing number of firms that are adopting generative Artificial Intelligence (Ai) to boost visibility,efficiency and agility across their operations. 

Generative AI poses itself as a different tool from the traditional automating tools, because it can generate new insights and scenarios based on large datasets, allowing organisations to make proactive, data-driven decisions. 

An insightful real world case is Unilever, which has in the past years integrated AI-driven forecasting and logistics systems in all its global networks. Unilever AI-driven decision making strategy uses generative models that combine real-time demand data,weather information, and retail signals to optimize production and distribution (Unilever,2024).

The initiative reached more than 98% on-shelf product availability, at the same time also reducing waste and logistics costs. In addition, Unilever collaborates with startups through its 100+ Accelerator in order to implement predictive analytics and loT-based solutions that monitor and detect equipment failures before they disrupt operations. 

From an Information Strategy point of view, Unilever sets an example of how firms can transform data into business actions and strategic assets. By linking data flows across suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers, businesses create adaptive,information-rich ecosystems capable of responding to changes faster than competitors (Raut et al., 2021).

On the other hand, recent research has highlighted that even an advanced decentralised learning model, such as federated learning, can expose sensitive information through inference attacks if not properly secured (Truong et al., 2020). Thus, information strategy nowadays must balance efficiency and innovation with responsible and ethical data management. In my opinion, Unilever’s case demonstrates that future supply chain management will not only be defined by efficiency, but also by intelligent, ethical, and privacy-conscious information systems that learn and evolve continuously.

References: 

Raut, R. D., Mangla, S. K., Narwane, V. S., Dora, M., & Liu, M. (2021). Big Data Analytics as a mediator in Lean, Agile, Resilient, and Green (LARG) practices effects on sustainable supply chains. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 145, 102170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2020.102170

Truong, N., Sun, K., Wang, S., Guitton, F., & Guo, Y. (2020). Privacy Preservation in Federated Learning: An insightful survey from the GDPR Perspective. ArXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/Unilever PLC. (2024, July 31). Utilising AI to redefine the future of customer connectivity.

Unilever; Unilever PLC. https://www.unilever.com/news/news-search/2024/utilising-ai-to-redefine-the-future-of-customer-connectivity/