Real-world needs must be prioritized over ‘artificial’ wants

John Leo Algo reports that global education systems are declining, noting that students at a top university in Southeast Asia struggle with basic concepts like the water cycle. Some students cannot distinguish between evaporation and condensation or define precipitation and runoff.

Algo argues that proponents of generative and frontier artificial intelligence (AI) push for immediate adoption to avoid being left behind, but this focus on technological benefits ignores real-world consequences. He suggests that prioritizing AI infrastructure over essential needs reflects a technocratic paradigm that overlooks actual development requirements. This tension is particularly urgent as the Philippines faces potential water bankruptcy, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.