Remy Rosenberg

Has your teacher ever told you not to use AI on an assignment? Well, I think every single one of my teachers has said that this year. Artificial intelligence has taken over in schools across the country. While AI can be a helpful tool if used correctly, it is often misused by students. Many high school students turn to AI to complete their work quickly and even have it do all the work for them. Since students started doing this, all of their work is heavily reliant on AI.

As a high school student, I have seen peers get in trouble for using AI incorrectly. Some students copy entire essays written by AI without understanding the content, thinking it will make life easier. Others believe that AI is correct 100% of the time and end up submitting answers that are wrong. Unfortunately, this often leads to poor grades or even disciplinary actions, from failing the assignment to suspension.

Last year, my classmate submitted an essay that he had written for English and the teacher suspected that he used AI, as it was flagged by an AI detector. The student had to redo the essay and received a 50% on the assignment. If he were to get caught using AI again, he would receive a 0% on the assignment. Because he decided to rely on AI, he ended the semester with a low grade in the class, which was completely preventable.

Seeing this happen to one of my classmates made me realize that AI is not a shortcut, but rather a tool. Used responsibly, AI can make flash cards, help brainstorm ideas, create outlines, or even explain difficult concepts in ways students might not understand. But misusing it can only hurt students, both in terms of grades and learning skills. Schools are taking AI more seriously, with AI policies in student handbooks and AI detectors to ensure every students’ work is original.

According to College Board in October 2025, “AI use is more prevalent than ever in America’s high schools. As for school administrators, more than 85% view students’ learning to use AI tools as part of their high school education as very or somewhat valuable. However, principals, AP coordinators, and teachers still have concerns about AI affecting students’ academic integrity and students’ essential learning skills.”

How to use AI in a beneficial way:

  • Create study materials. Ask AI to generate flashcards for key terms or vocabulary. Maybe if you have an upcoming test, have AI create practice tests for you.
  • Editing or revision tips. After you complete an essay, you can ask AI to give you feedback on how you can improve your essay. It can check grammar and spelling to make sure you did not miss anything.
  • Explaining concepts. If you need help understanding a complicated concept, ask AI to explain it to you, then rewrite it in your own words.
  • Brainstorming ideas. AI can help you brainstorm ideas for essays that you can build from. It can also give you ideas for outlines to use when writing an essay.

Conversation Starters:

  1. Have you ever used AI for homework? If so, how?
  2. How do you decide when it’s okay to use AI in school?
  3. How do you ensure you don’t use an incorrect answer from AI?
  4. Do you think AI makes learning easier or harder?

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