Many schools have rushed to regulate how students use Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, hoping it will enhance learning, not hinder it. However, the reality is different. Most students use AI to complete their homework quickly rather than to learn better.
In a recent high school chemistry class, students were taught about using artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly. They answered questions like, “When can you use ChatGPT for homework?” and “How can AI support your thinking without replacing it?” However, most users used ChatGPT to complete the worksheet and then moved on.
In some schools, rules have been implemented that allow students to use AI for activities such as brainstorming or planning, but prohibit its use for writing assignments. However, the apparent truth is that these rules do not work well in actual practice. Recently, a chemistry teacher admitted to checking students’ work, and they made some uncomfortable discoveries. They found that a large part of the work was lifted from AI with no changes or real effort to humanise it. She called it “disappointing”, but she admitted that there was little she could do.
In Bible class, students read out answers from ChatGPT verbatim. Sometimes, teachers noticed strange things, such as AI using “BCE” (Before Common Era), which is not commonly used in religious studies, but they just laughed it off.
The truth is that many students are not utilising AI to enhance their understanding of lessons. Instead, they use it to avoid learning. Schools still pretend this is not happening, which is frustrating.
This problem is not just in high school. At universities like CSU, there is hope that students will use AI properly. However, a study by the National Education Association found that 72% of high school students use AI to do assignments without really learning.
Experts say AI did not break education; it showed what was already wrong. Many assignments do not require genuine thinking; they want the work done. So, when the students find out there is an easy shortcut, it is a prospect they cannot say no to.
Indeed, this reality hurts honest students who spend long hours studying and completing their work, while others cheat with AI and receive the same grade or even higher grades. It is not just unfair; it is heartbreaking.
So, what can schools do? They must accept that students will use AI, especially at home or when online. Teachers cannot watch every student’s screen.
Schools need more straightforward rules. AI should never be used to complete a student’s actual work, just as calculators are not allowed on some tests. Real learning happens in school, not by shortcuts.
The solution is to change assignments. Use pen and paper, in-class writing, oral presentations, and tasks that AI cannot easily do. AI can still be beneficial — to help teachers grade or to ask questions that guide learning, not replace it.
Students are bright and know what gets rewarded. Schools must build rules based on how students behave, not just on hopes.
Until then, AI will keep writing essays — and teachers will keep grading them.
