A.I. Belongs in the Classroom – with Boundaries
If the rise of AI can’t be stopped, then schools must learn to adapt. Art: Sabrine Uddin
By DALER NAIMOV and STEFANIE RYKHLO
Around the world, high school kids are at the core of the controversy around artificial intelligence applications like ChatGPT. On one hand, these tools provide an excellent opportunity for customized learning and enhancing efficiency. On the other hand, they raise concerns about cheating, excessive dependence, and the loss of critical thinking abilities.
AI's ability to generate essays, explain complex topics, and even help with brainstorming is why students are increasingly using it on a regular basis. It can make all the difference for students who need extra help outside of the classroom or who are struggling in particular subjects. For example, a student who is having trouble with calculus can use AI to make complicated equations easier to understand, and another student can prepare for debate tournaments by practicing against AI-generated counterarguments.
These tools have already proven themselves an essential part of many high school students' education. "When I don't understand something in class, I'll use ChatGPT to explain it in simpler terms," said Anna Miroshnyk ‘26. "It's been a lifesaver for homework."
Tatyana Kuneeva ‘26 added, “When I'm doing AP Stats homework and I can't comprehend or apply the material, I use ChatGPT to help my understanding because it offers me a unique perspective and many methods to solve the problem.”
AI’s ability to translate educational content into multiple languages is one of its best qualities. This provides ENL students a better opportunity to learn the material and increase their chances of achieving a higher average.
Ms. Lisa Ali, a CTE engineering and robotics teacher, said, “Some of my students need it. They utilize it for a comprehensive analysis of foreign documents that they have a difficult time understanding.”
Teachers spend a significant amount of time on basic tasks like grading and transferring grades. AI can not only automate these tasks, it can also free teachers to focus on what they do best: teaching. Automatic grading systems can score tests and homework the moment you click “turn in,” repeating the process for hundreds of different students.
The idea is to balance teaching students how to use AI to improve their efforts without taking the place of genuine education. "AI is cool, but it's not a replacement for hard work," said Michelle Botvinsky '26. "At the end of the day, you still need to know your information."
AI-generated material may also be lacking in complexity and creativity. When it comes to assignments like history essays, students often find that AI programs produce useful outlines but that the details can be too basic.
Schools should teach children how to use AI properly rather than outright prohibit it. Being able to work with AI will help high school students become digital experts, ready for the future. However, it needs to be approached carefully, just like any other tool.
High schools can transform AI into a helpful instructional device by setting clear boundaries and committing to honesty. Teachers should incorporate AI into activities such as grammatical checks, practice problems, and concept explanations, while still emphasizing the value of hard work.
"Educators should explain when and how it's okay to use AI," Sofiia Grinevich ‘28 said. "I believe using ChatGPT is acceptable if I'm having trouble coming up with ideas. But writing the entire paper? That is going too far."
The goal should not be to resist AI or to entirely rely on it; rather, schools should teach students how to use it intelligently and responsibly. After all, those who are proficient with this technology will be more important in the future than the technology itself.