Students turn to AI for homework, sparking debate

By Dalay’a Pinkney

News Editor AND Kaydein McCall Editorial Assitant Part One of the story is from Dalay'a Pinkney

As AI tools grow, more and more students are using AI tools like ChatGPT for their homework. Some say it helps them learn, but others worry it might be cheating. People are trying to figure out if AI is a helpful tool or a problem.

Students rely on ChatGPT and other AI tools to complete their homework, sparking controversy at school. Photo by Ontarrio Randle.

AI tools like ChatGPT may or may not cause problems in academic growth. Most students use ChatGPT in their everyday lives, for schoolwork, social media, and staying organized. Although some students don't know how to use AI responsibly, or they don't understand the difference between using it for help and cheating.

Teachers are starting to set rules and advice on how to use AI the right way. Certain teachers help students use AI responsibly, and teach them how to get AI to help them instead of using AI to cheat and copy answers. Some students say AI teaches them useful ways like, a tool for feedback, checking writing,suggesting improvements,or helping them fix mistakes .

“I feel like ChatGPT could be helpful because when it gives you the answer, it also explains how it got the answer. So you're learning while you're getting the answer,” Diamond Cole said.

Many students agree that when used correctly, AI can be a tool to help them understand their schoolwork better. However, using it incorrectly can lead to copying answers and not actually learning. As AI becomes more common,both students and teachers are learning how to use it in a way that supports their learning, not just as shortcuts.

“I feel like it's no problem using it as long as you use it responsibly.” Kristina Rice said.

While AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful, teachers and experts warn that using them too much can actually harm a student's full ability to think  for themselves. When these tools are used, students rely on AI to solve problems or write answers, they don't practice important skills that they need. It can stop them from thinking for themselves. This means AI can be both a helpful tool and a risk, depending on how students choose to use it.

“Some students have become so reliant on AI as a shortcut to get an assignment done that they have stopped trying to learn for themselves.  Assignments don't exist just so your teachers can give you a grade for their class; they exist to help you learn the material.  Relying on AI to help you complete an assignment makes it so that you're just doing, not actually learning in the process,” Mrs.Muta said.

Some people think AI might change the way students learn. Instead of spending a lot of time memorizing facts or figuring out every problem alone, students might focus more on understanding ideas, solving bigger questions, and finding new ways to think creatively.

Part Two is from Kaydein McCall

By Kaydein McCall

Editorial Assistant

With the rise of artificial intelligence, an alarming number of students are using it to generate their assignments. The problem in using AI lies in how it's being used. It has the potential for cheating, but it can also be used as a powerful study aid. As students lose motivation and the school year draws to a close, the AI needs to be addressed. If the bad outweighs the good.

“I think using AI as a resource is a good idea. I think using AI to help you understand a concept it’s good, but it gets a little tricky when you’re starting to abuse the power of AI,” senior Isis Shores said.​

Student laziness is a potential cause for the rise of AI in student work. Instead of taking the time to learn what they are struggling with, they could be turning to AI for an easy way out.

“Because you don't have to think about it anymore, and they don't want to put in the effort anymore. So they're just looking for the easiest way to get it done,” senior Nicole Lomax said.

When you use AI for work, you don’t actually learn anything. This could cause students to get stuck in a cycle of reliance. Alternatively, AI can improve your work, instead of doing it for you.

“Personally, I use AI to help me understand assignments or double-check my answers, especially when it comes to practice. But I think using AI to double-check your answers, or to understand concepts better, or ask it to be explained another way is really helpful," Shores said.​

There aren't many ways for teachers to restrict access to AI during testing. The number of workarounds makes it difficult to combat.

“You could try to block it on the Chromebooks, but then students are going to use it on their phones. They're going to find other ways, so it's going to be hard for the school to lock it all down,” Lomax said.​

“I think especially as you move through the years of high school, like as a senior,  you lose a lot of motivation, and using AI, it’s easy, and people look for the easy way out. But I think it’s  important for people to understand that there is life after high school, and you do need to work hard and still learn the stuff that you need to know,” Shores said.