In a world of AI text, speech still reigns supreme

The origin and foundation of language is primarily speech rather than writing, which is historically and cognitively secondary.
Writing, though more recent, became a crucial tool for preserving information and expanding administrative and scientific systems, leading to its dominance in Western societies.
Sociolinguistics emphasizes the vernacular and everyday speech as the primary forms of language that evolve through natural use and story-telling.
Modern education system heavily relies on written forms of communication and scholarly output, which is now being challenged by generative AI and its impact on learning and assessment.
The rise of large language models and AI may shift educational focus towards oral assessments to ensure genuine intellectual involvement, potentially bringing back the importance of speech in knowledge exchange.
A shift towards valuing speech could also foster greater inclusivity, allowing multilingual students to engage more effectively in their native languages before translating ideas into written English.
Despite its disruption by AI, writing remains vital for preserving knowledge and long-distance communication, but a balance between speech and writing may help reshape our understanding of language and knowledge exchange.