To be completely honest, AI can actually be extremely helpful

For adults, artificial intelligence being used in schools, or even their jobs may seem new and a bit odd. For students though, it’s perfectly normal. It’s almost become a routine just, open your device, go over the homework/assignments, get stuck, ask AI. That’s the routine for so many of my peers.

In my classes, tools like ChatGPT aren’t something students whisper about, or use secretly anymore. People use them openly, whether it be to explain math steps, brainstorm essays, summarize long readings, or double-check answers. It doesn’t feel high-tech, or futuristic. It just feels convenient.

Like Google. Like a calculator. Just another tab. To be completely honest, AI can actually be extremely helpful.

Sometimes a teacher explains something one way, and it doesn’t click. Asking AI to break it down in simpler terms or show the steps differently can make a big difference. If I miss a class, or forget how to start an assignment, it helps me get unstuck faster.

It’s also available anytime. Late at night. On weekends. Right before a deadline. Not every student has access to a tutor or someone at home who can help with every subject. In those moments, AI can feel like extra support, like having someone there to point you in the right direction. Used carefully, it can reduce stress and build confidence. That’s only one side of the story.

There’s no denying that AI can be helpful. For students who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, AI can reduce frustration and help them move forward. It can offer explanations in different ways, provide examples on demand, and make schoolwork feel more manageable. Science tells us something important: getting answers quickly is not the same as understanding them deeply.

Research summarized by the American Psychological Association shows that students who rely heavily on passive review or answer-based learning take in less information over time than students who actively work through problems, make mistakes, and receive guided feedback from their mentors. This leads to what psychologists often call an illusion of understanding, when students feel confident because an answer was provided, even though the actual concept behind it hasn’t fully been grasped by them.

For parents, this can be difficult to spot. Assignments get completed. Grades may not immediately drop, but over time, gaps in understanding can arise particularly when students face more complex material, cumulative exams, or increased academic pressure.

This is the instance I think human help still matters most. A tutor or teacher does more than explain answers. They notice when you’re frustrated. They slow down when you look confused. They ask follow-up questions and change their approach until something finally clicks and works for you.

They understand you, not just the problem you’re facing. AI can generate information, but it can’t read body language. It can’t encourage you when you feel stuck, and most importantly it can’t build trust or confidence.  Learning isn’t only about getting the right answer. It’s also about feeling supported enough to keep trying. That part is human and cannot be replaced by some machine.

From a student’s perspective, AI isn’t good or bad on its own. It depends on how we use it. If we use it to understand concepts, check our thinking, and practice, it can be powerful, but if we use it just to finish faster, we’re only cheating ourselves.

AI might help us complete homework, but it can’t replace the effort that real learning takes. In the end, it should be a tool, not a shortcut, because getting answers is easy. Understanding them is what really matters.