As AI becomes a powerful presence in our daily lives, students today face a critical choice: will AI replace their thinking, or challenge them to think deeper? In this TEDx talk, Dr. Robert Stroud explores how the growing use of AI in education risks weakening our most essential tool: the human mind. He argues that struggle, often seen as something to avoid, is actually the foundation of real learning and growth. When we let AI do the thinking for us, we lose the chance to develop original ideas, question assumptions, and truly understand. But when we engage with AI critically, using it as a tool, we grow as thinkers, creators, and leaders. This talk is a call to action for students: Don’t give away your power to think. Use AI to push yourself, not replace yourself. Because the future won’t be built by those who take shortcuts. It will be built by those who keep thinking. Dr. Robert Stroud is a professor at Hosei University in Japan, specializing in the use of technology to enhance education. He advocates for the thoughtful integration of digital tools to create meaningful, equitable learning environments. His work focuses on empowering students to become critical thinkers, self-directed learners, and socially conscious individuals in an increasingly AI-driven world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx