Competence and Capability in the Age of AI

Christopher Morales' post on September 26, 2026, titled “AI Has Made an Old Education Problem Harder to Ignore,” discusses how the rise of AI has highlighted existing deficiencies in student readiness and engagement in academia. He argues that while AI can generate written content efficiently, it underscores a longstanding challenge in education concerning the mastery of knowledge versus simply completing assignments.

1. Current Educational Landscape:

Many first-year college students are required to take remedial courses, indicating widespread academic under-preparedness.

The advancements in AI have exacerbated the gap between real understanding and task completion.

2. Historical Context:

Morales references significant socio-economic upheavals in Great Britain during the late 1970s, which motivated a movement toward educational reforms focused on capability, as articulated in The Capability Manifesto.

Four main pillars emerged from this movement emphasizing execution, craftsmanship, teamwork, and adaptability.

3. Critiques and Discussions:

Critics pointed out potential flaws in the Capability Manifesto, suggesting that capability may imply potential rather than actual performance, leading to an educational model that emphasizes action over mere knowledge.

A discussion has evolved around the importance of balancing theory versus practical application in education.

4. Concept of Capatance:

Authors Reva Berman Brown and Sean McCartney introduced the idea of "Capatance," blending competence (knowledge from past accomplishments) with capability (potential future actions).

This concept recognizes the need for both to optimize learning but raises the question of how to effectively integrate them.

5. Role of AI in Education:

AI can both enhance and hinder the development of capability. Merely relying on AI can stunt cognitive growth, leading to short-term academic gains but long-term deficits, such as diminished critical thinking and retention.

Effective use of AI—as an active collaborator rather than a passive tool—can enhance learning and avoid detrimental effects on educational depth.

6. Complex Domains in Healthcare:

The discussion extends to fields like healthcare, where different approaches are needed depending on the complexity of the domain (simple, complicated, complex, chaotic).

While competence is critical in straightforward situations, adaptability and continuous learning are necessary in complex environments.

AI's impact on education and other fields can be both positive and negative, depending on how it is used. It holds great potential as a powerful tool for knowledge management when combined with human intelligence. However, the risks of cognitive offloading and superficial learning must be managed carefully. Therefore, educators and practitioners must thoughtfully integrate AI into their methods to foster genuine understanding and capability among learners. 

https://brownstone.org/articles/competence-and-capability-in-the-age-of-ai/