Actual Intelligence in an Artificial-Intelligence World
As IBM Chairman Arvind Krishna put it, in the age of A.I., "you've got to learn critical thinking." While critical thinking was always important, A.I.'s presence everywhere from cubicles to classrooms to corporate boardrooms is causing a decline in critical thinking on a mass scale. I bring the solution. I empower people around the world with unique critical thinking skills that work independently of A.I. or with it. As I always say, if you don't think that critical thinking is the most important skill there is, then consider the fact that you just had to think that.
About Me
Steven spent 25 years teaching English and critical thinking in higher education. He founded the world’s first academic department for the study of teaching critical thinking and transformed critical thinking outcomes across all university disciplines. His work led to a ground-breaking result: the world’s first proprietary and proven neuroscience-based system (NeuralCode) for elite critical thinking that is easy to teach and to learn for everyone ages 8 and older. He is the founder of The Critical Thinking Institute and his system has been used everywhere from classrooms to boardrooms.
Steve's the author of America's Critical Thinking Crisis and two new books, APEX Critical Thinking and the APEX Critical Thinking Handbooks for students. He's keynoted for The Learning and the Brain Conference, Proctor & Gamble, Traveler's Insurance, the MegaSuccess International Business Conference, and other major events.
He lives in Connecticut with his wife and son. He is an avid foodie and a lifelong martial artist.
Sample Keynotes & Workshops
The Essential 4 Cs of Thinking Critically with A.I.
In the A.I. future, one skill will be paramount: critical thinking. As The World Economic Forum stated in its report, This is The One Skill Everybody Needs in the Age of A.I., “you've got to learn critical thinking” because with A.I.’s increasing presence in the workplace, “regardless of which domain you're in, critical thinking becomes the skill that is far, far more needed.” This timely, engaging keynote teaches the four essential cognitive ways to activate stronger critical thinking while still leveraging the workflow benefits that A.I. offers.
Key Takeaways
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Learn what critical thinking really is and A.I.’s impact on it
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Gain a precise understanding of the four science-based ways to think with A.I.
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Become empowered to stand out as a critical thinker while others let A.I. think for them
Teaching Critical Thinking in the A.I. Age
The problem is clear: A.I. is negatively impacting students critical thinking. And it’s no secret. In a National Education Union survey, two-thirds of secondary teachers said AI has degraded their students' critical thinking. One described their students as "losing core skills"—"thinking, creativity, writing, even how to have a conversation." And students see it too. Eighty-three-percent report concern that AI is negatively affecting their own critical thinking and decision-making (Szmyd & Mitera, 2024). This important, powerful keynote informs educators about exactly how A.I. is affecting students’ cognition and what pedagogical tactics to employ in order to get students thinking critically with A.I. (and without it).
Key Takeaways
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Learn what critical thinking really is irrespective of age or subject matter
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Gain a precise understanding of how A.I. negatively impacts students’ cognition
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Become empowered with pedagogies that improve critical thinking with and without A.I.
I empower people around the world to think critically amidst the AI revolution.
Raising Critical Thinkers in the A.I. Age
Nothing is concerning parents more today than the sudden rise of A.I. and its impact on their children's ability to think for themselves. And with good reason. A recent MIT study not found that using A.I. lowered children's brain activity. And children are aware of this themselves! A Rand study found that 83% of students report that their top concern about AI is that it might “weaken their ability to think independently and make responsible decisions." Parents want to safeguard their children's critical thinking skills, and this keynote comes to their rescue by explaining how A.I. negatively affects the brain and how to ensure that children think critically in spite of that.
Key Takeaways
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Gain insights into the specific negative ways AI is impacting children’s brain function
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Become able to recognize the personality types and motivations that make children engage AI more or less
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Learn specific ways to empower children to feel confident not relying on AI, but also how to think with A.I. when its useful
Mike Lazerow
Billionaire, Salesforce, Entrepreneur
Billy Ray Taylor
CEO Goodyear
Bruce Cardenas
Quest Nutrition
Hugh Hilton & JT Foxx
Real Estate Billionaires
"All of the courses I’ve attended, both in and out of the Army, have stressed the importance to think critically. This is the first time anyone has ever showed me how."
Col. Ben Connell, U.S. Army War College
"From the perspective of an elite corporate trainer with over 30-years of experience, Steve is probably the best speaker I’ve seen. His ability to get an audience engaged, get them thinking, and teach them practical skillsets that they can apply immediately is phenomenal."
John Borter, Director of Training & Development, American National
"Dr. Pearlman’s revolutionary methods for teaching critical thinking finally make advanced thinking skills available to everyone in the world."
Ken Bain, Ph.D., President, Best Teachers Institute.
"Dr. Pearlman's groundbreaking programming and in-depth research into multiple fields—neuroscience, education, behavioural change— will empower everyone to fulfil their dreams."
J.W. Wilson, Executive Director, The Learning Code Institute
"I’ve seen Dr. Pearlman deliver both keynotes and workshops, and he is not only the best presenter I’ve seen, but his understanding of critical thinking, knowledge about education, and care for his audience is simply exceptional."
Andy Levy, Ph.D., Honors Program Director, Middlesex Community College
"As a leader in teaching critical thinking to the U.S. Armed Forces, I can tell you that Dr. Pearlman’s work is a breakthrough that could not be more valuable.”
William "Razz" Rasgorshek, MS MBA, Army War College, Red Team U.
"Few people I’ve encountered understand the mechanics of human thinking—and, more importantly, how to help others become better thinkers—as deeply as Steve does. His approach to critical thinking is evidence-based without being clinical, intellectually rigorous without being inaccessible, and always deeply relational. He has a rare ability to put learners at ease while challenging them to examine how they think, reason, and make meaning.
Steve doesn’t simply teach critical thinking; he makes it approachable, relevant, and immediately useful to people who may not see themselves as academics or “critical thinkers.” I consider him one of the most thoughtful and consequential voices working in critical thinking and adult learning today.”
TK Stoudt, Ph.D. CAO, Center for Academic Innovation
Charlie Sheen
John Paul de Joria
Paul Mitchell Products & Patron Tequlia
Mario Lopez
Let's connect!
steve@stevenjpearlman.com