Teachers should support, not discourage, student AI use
The introduction of calculators in the late 20th century created fear that students wouldn’t learn proper math skills. Today, few people say that calculators cause net harm, but use that previous logic when they think of AI.
Popular AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are an opportunity to help students generate ideas and expand their creativity. AI can also help students absorb information by turning it into podcasts, flashcards and diagrams.
In addition, artificial intelligence tools close achievement gaps by supporting people who traditionally have had barriers to education.
Historically, underrepresented groups have also used AI for its accessibility. CommonSenseMedia.org found in 2024 that 62% of their Black users get assistance from AI with their homework compared to only 40% of White people.
However, educators tend to associate AI with cheating, and as a result, they sometimes ban it entirely. In 2023, the Pew Research Center found that only six percent of K-12 teachers believe AI does more good than harm.
But banning AI in education is contrary to schools’ purpose: to learn.
Vincent Yu, a Miramonte junior, believes AI is a step toward innovation.
“Much like PCs in the ‘80s or the internet in the 2000s, AI will permanently change how we learn, how we work and how we live.” Yu said. “It is up to education to prepare our students for this new AI-revolutionized world.”
Whether we like it or not AI is here to stay. AI usage increased from 33% in 2023 to 71% in 2024, according to McKinsey.com, so educators should adapt to the new reality. Rather than turning away from AI, embracing it as the future is the best way to set students up for success.
Employers, after all, are looking for people who are comfortable with AI in fields in tech, retail, politics, finance and more.
Thaylo Westling, a Miramonte junior, believes AI isn’t going away. “In the future, many jobs will be assisted by AI in some sort of way, and if students are taught to use it correctly and have experience with it, they will be able to utilize it to its full extent,” said Westling.
Educators can teach students how to use AI in a way that helps them grow critical thinking and life skills. For example, in humanities subjects, AI can help uncover biases and misinformation.
London Hill, a Miramonte senior said she uses AI to help comprehend information. “In my English and history classes, AI helps break down essay prompts and compares sources,” said Hill. “AI isn’t meant to replace teachers, but to help them.”
