上個月，The Atlantic 記者 Derek Thomspon 研究美國政府公布的勞動數據後，發覺一個驚人現象：過去40年，大學畢業生的就業情況從沒像2025年那麼糟糕。

Thomspon的結論是，這跟 AI 有關。

“As law firms leaned on AI for more paralegal work, and consulting firms realized that five 22-year-olds with ChatGPT could do the work of 20 recent grads, and tech firms turned over their software programming to a handful of superstars working with AI co-pilots, the entry level of America’s white-collar economy would contract.”

創業家 Daniel Priestley 有兩個孩子。作為家長的他，認為在 AI 年代，人會分為兩類，consumer or creator。Consumer 會沉迷於 AI-generated 的無謂娛樂，creator 會利用 AI 大大增加他們的工作效率，兩者會活出完全不一樣的人生。Creator 有每個月賺一百萬的可能，consumer 則可能會抱怨 “Hey I can’t even get a job for $15 an hour.” Priestley 當然正在致力把孩子培養成 creator。

如何讓下一代在 AI 年代不淪為輸家？我認為，首先是叮囑孩子，不能靠 AI 做功課，尤其不能讓 AI 為自己寫作，因這會失去動腦筋的機會。如果年紀輕輕就依賴 AI，思維發展會難以超越 AI，這樣以後能在職場上找到位置嗎？ 當然，這不代表學寫作時完全不能碰 AI。 比如，拿到寫作題目後，可以先請 AI 寫一遍，然後 challenge 自己寫一個更生動的版本，我在下面就做了這種嘗試。

 

Essay question:

It has been proposed that the existing historic school buildings of Maryknoll Convent School should be demolished and redeveloped into a new school to accommodate modern needs.

The principal, Ms Chan, would like to know what students think about this proposal. Write a letter to Ms Chan saying whether you support or oppose this proposal to redevelop the school. Give reasons to support your opinion.

 

ChatGPT’s response:

I am writing in response to the recent proposal to demolish and redevelop the historic buildings of Maryknoll Convent School to meet modern educational needs. While I understand the importance of upgrading school facilities, I must respectfully express my opposition to this proposal.

Maryknoll Convent School is more than just a place of learning; it is a cultural and architectural treasure that has stood for generations. The historic buildings are not only visually distinctive, but they also serve as a living reminder of our school’s rich heritage. The convent’s unique design and historical significance make it a valuable part of Hong Kong’s educational and cultural landscape.

Demolishing these structures would mean erasing a piece of history that connects current students with those who came before us. Many alumni, parents, and community members have emotional ties to these buildings, which represent the spirit and values of the school. Instead of demolition, we should consider ways to preserve and integrate the historic structures with modern upgrades.

Additionally, the buildings are still functional and could be enhanced with careful renovations to accommodate modern teaching technologies, safety standards, and accessibility needs. Other historic institutions have successfully preserved their architecture while implementing necessary improvements. With proper planning and investment, we could achieve the same.

I believe that by preserving our historic campus, we will continue to inspire future generations with a deep sense of pride and identity. It is possible to move forward without forgetting where we came from.

Thank you for considering student input on this important matter. I hope that our school can continue to grow while honouring its legacy.

 

My response:

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”

This timeless Winston Churchill quote immediately struck me the moment I learned that our school is considering bulldozing our 100-year-old red brick campus.

On the surface, the proposal seems to involve just the physical act of razing an old structure. In truth, it is a move that will set off a chain of emotional reactions. Old girls, for whom the red brick walls hold so many memories, will feel as though a part of their past has been reduced to rubble. The Hong Kong public, who have affectionately nicknamed our campus “the red brick castle,” will mourn its demise the same way they mourned the death of Queen’s Pier; thereafter, due to our school’s prominent location, anyone south of Boundary Street who needs to drive to Shatin will pass by the street’s intersection with Waterloo Road, and lament the “castle’s” gaping absence. Most of all, future Maryknoll girls will feel cut off from the school’s proud 100-year history. Instead of stepping into a storied institution that has produced famous alumni like Gigi Leung, they will be in a situation not unlike amputees who can still feel the pain of long-gone wounds, forever living with the phantom pain of not having spent their school years under the shelter of the “castle.”

In Western countries like Canada, where property prices are far beyond the reach of the average earner, and property tax and condo fees are so high, it can make more financial sense to rent instead of buy. Yet people still buy for emotional reasons; the sense of stability home ownership brings can make the costly expenses worth it. Likewise, there may be practical reasons for demolishing the old school building – perhaps repair costs have gone through the roof (pun intended) – but like the decision to own a home, emotional implications should be considered just as seriously as the practical ones.

I hope if I have a granddaughter who is also a Maryknoll girl, she will be going to the same “red brick castle” that had once been my home.