6 Reasons Students Should Be Encouraged to Use AI

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Attitudes about artificial intelligence (AI) in education have swung wildly since ChatGPT surged in popularity in 2023.

Early responses were to discourage, and even punish, students using AI for any part of their coursework.

In case you (or someone you know) needs persuading about the benefits of AI for education, here are 6 reasons all students should be encouraged to use AI.

1. AI Literacy is an Essential Workplace Skill

AI literacy, recognize, understand, use, evaluate, create, and navigate AI tools, is rapidly becoming an essential workplace skill.

Companies like and have made headlines this year for mandating that employees use AI. Suggesting that this trend is becoming widespread, a recent survey of over 1000 business leaders found that require workers to use AI.

It’s clear now, and even more so going forward, that equipping students with the ability to confidently and competently utilize AI is a vital part of preparing them for success in the workplace.

2. Using AI at School Is Not “Cheating”

Most educational institutions outlining how and when AI use is permitted in coursework.

Policies vary by course and institution, with common inclusions that:

● Require students to disclose when they've used AI tools.

● Hold students responsible for verifying AI-generated information.

● Allow teachers to set course-specific guidelines based on learning objectives.

● Define violations as undisclosed or inappropriate use, not AI use itself.

Using AI to support coursework is no longer seen as “cheating.” However, it’s subject to the same academic integrity principles that guide the use of any other digital tools or academic information that support learning.

3. Students Know the Right Way to Use AI

Unsurprisingly, when students are surveyed about their views and attitudes about AI in education, they display remarkably good judgment about appropriate use.

A on ChatGPT use found that while a majority of students said it was acceptable to use AI to “research new topics,” most said it was not acceptable to write essays with AI.

There are no doubt examples of inappropriate use of AI among students. But just as most students don’t plagiarize academic work, a majority won’t try to pass off AI-generated assignments as their own.

4. AI Can Improve Learning Outcomes

A found that “ChatGPT effectively enhances student learning performance across different types of courses,” with the most significant impact being observed in learning focused on skills and competencies development.

AI has also been highlighted as having significant potential for in education, through activities such as:

● Adapting materials to the needs of the individual (personalized learning).

● Enriching educational content (via simulations and multimedia elements).

● Assisting students with special education needs.

● Providing on-demand support for students (when a teacher is unavailable).

● Rapid provision of learning materials to underserved populations.

● Expanding teacher capacity in areas with educator shortages.

There are obviously nuances around how and when AI is used that influence the impact on students. However, a consensus seems to have emerged that with thoughtful implementation, AI can improve educational outcomes across a variety of settings.

5.A Critical Lens Requires Understanding

Developing a critical perspective on AI—recognizing limitations, identifying biases, and understanding appropriate uses—requires hands-on experience alongside expert instruction.

UNESCO’s states, “School students need to be supported to become active co-creators of AI, as well as potential leaders who will define further iterations of AI and its interactions with human society.”

To use a well worn cliché, AI is here to stay.

We all can, and should, take a critical lens on how this technology is being used now, and in the future. But students can only participate in (and eventually lead) this discussion if AI use is embraced by educators as a part of modern life and learning.

6.Mixed Messages Create Stress and Anxiety

Students often face a confusing double standard when it comes to AI use.

On one hand, they're told that AI literacy is essential for their future careers. On the other hand, they receive ambiguous warnings that “overuse” of AI in assignments or coursework is akin to cheating or academic dishonesty.

A by MIT highlighted just how much stress and anxiety is created by unclear expectations about AI use.

Teachers described how AI detectors and constant suspicion of AI use could erode trust in the student-teacher relationship. While students who knew their peers were using AI for schoolwork were anxious about being left behind if they didn't follow suit.

The survey found that a collaborative approach between teachers and students to determine what is and is not considered acceptable AI use was the most effective way to ease the anxiety many have been feeling since AI entered the classroom.

We’re All In This Together

The conversation around AI in education has shifted dramatically in just two years—from blanket prohibition to thoughtful integration.

It’s now clear that AI literacy is a vital skill that all students should be supported in developing. Not just to prepare them for the workforce, but also to nurture the next generation of leaders who will help shape the role AI plays in society.

The only way for students to develop AI literacy is through hands-on experience with the tools. Therefore, it’s vital that students are encouraged to use AI in a collaborative and supportive environment, where everyone collectively acknowledges that this is new territory we must navigate together.

This collaborative spirit around AI has been the guiding principle behind the development of .

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