A Student's Point of View on AI use in Schools

As you may be aware, the growing use of AI in schools has made these websites a ubiquitous feature of modern education - to the point where AI is no longer a novelty, but an expectation. So much so that we now have AI presentations during FIT blocks that actively teach students how to use it properly. In this article, I’ll be sharing some of what I’ve noticed regarding AI from a student’s perspective. 

Looking back to when ChatGPT was slowly gaining popularity among high school students, I remember feeling two ways: amazed, and slightly worried that I was breaking the rules. I had heard about this seemingly magical tool called ChatGPT that could do anything you ask it to, so one night I tried asking it a few questions to see if it really was all that great. I was so beyond shocked. I couldn’t believe there was something that could tutor me, generate images and even interact with my computer to perform tasks - all for free. As time has passed, what surprises me the most now is how quickly it went from being this extraordinary thing to completely normalized.

When I first started experimenting with AI, I was a bit worried because I didn’t know to what extent I could utilize this new tool without accidentally crossing the line into cheating.  I would see -and still do- the complete range of uses among my peers.  Some use AI to clarify difficult concepts, help them improve their writing, or learn tips to succeed in various courses. Others, however, use it in ways that replace their own thinking entirely, such as having AI write essays or provide answers to homework questions. 

The fact that some students use AI unethically raises concerns not only about their learning, but also about fairness. While some students get caught using AI, many don’t.  This can widen the gap between those who seem to be excelling (thanks to AI), and those who might be struggling.  This often creates tension, especially when students who didn’t completely rely on AI received lower grades than those who did, despite putting in significantly more effort. I’ve noticed this issue becoming more prominent this year in particular, which may be due to the advancement in AI tools, or simply because students are getting better at using them discreetly. 

One thought held by so many students -which may seem concerning at first- is the following: I don’t know how people did school without AI! While this statement is extreme, as someone who has never used AI to cheat, I understand this widely held sentiment.  Every time I work on science and math homework, I use ChatGPT to explain concepts to me that I’m having a hard time understanding - not to do it for me.  Of course, I could get a tutor, but that’s expensive, and it would be a bit awkward to have a tutor sitting there while I’m doing practice problems, waiting for me to find something I don’t understand. This is where AI fills a unique gap, by providing immediate support, exactly when it’s needed. Without it, I would likely need a tutor, or my test results would suffer due to a lack of understanding. 

The tutoring aspect of AI has many benefits, but it also raises important questions about the future of education - if a website can explain almost any concept in a personalized way to anyone, is there still a need for teachers? In my opinion, absolutely. While I may not come ask my teachers questions at FIT block as regularly anymore because I can ask AI instead, I do believe that the role of teachers extends far beyond explaining subjects. Teachers build relationships, recognize effort, and motivate students through human interaction in ways AI cannot. A student is more likely to push themselves when completing an assignment for a teacher they respect and feel connected to than for an algorithm. 

Another aspect to consider is the huge potential AI has to revolutionize education. If it was no longer perceived in a negative light, it could truly take education to the next level. All sorts of projects and subjects could be made far more interactive, and AI could work alongside teachers to lighten their load and help them come up with innovative teaching approaches. 

Overall, AI is constantly evolving and becoming a huge part of daily lives for students and teachers alike. I have found the AI presentations during FIT to be very helpful, as they provide us with guidance on how to use these evolving tools in a way that will enhance our learning. Moving forward, it will be crucial to continue integrating AI thoughtfully into classrooms to support learning, because whether schools acknowledge it or not, students are finding ways to use AI for every subject.