Season 1 Episode 1

Dr Kershen Pillay on why AI can't replace critical thinking

12 October 2026 · 30:39 min

AI is transforming education, but the ability to research, think critically, and apply knowledge could become more important than the qualification itself.

Dr Kershen Pillay, CEO of the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences, explains why South Africa’s education system must adapt to a world… where tools such as ChatGPT and Claude can provide information almost instantly.

Pillay argues that students should learn to use AI as a research tool without outsourcing their critical thinking. He discusses declining attention spans, the importance of reading, and why universities need more practical assessment, teamwork, debate, and problem-solving to test whether students can genuinely apply what they know.

The conversation also examines South Africa’s skills mismatch. Pillay explains why employers frequently encounter graduates who are not adequately prepared for the workplace and how GIFT bridges gaps in communication, mathematics, accounting, and other fundamentals before technical training begins.

Looking ahead, he outlines a model where African students compete against global standards and gain access to world-class education.

0:00 Intro
1:10 What it means to be educated today
2:11 Are traditional qualifications still enough?
4:20 AI and critical thinking
7:30 Why reading still matters
12:49 Rethinking university assessment
15:47 South Africa’s skills gap
20:11 Building work-ready graduates

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