Artificial intelligence is transforming education faster than ever before. In today’s classroom, students can access personalized support, using AI tools to solve problems, generate ideas, and read explanations within seconds. While this technology offers instant knowledge, it also raises concerns about students’ independence and their ability to think critically. As AI becomes part of our everyday life, an important question appears: are students truly learning more, or are they just simply becoming more reliant on technology?
One of the main concerns surrounding AI in education comes directly from teachers. Many teachers warn students that relying too much on AI can cause harm to their ability to think critically and solve problems independently. This is especially important for students who are preparing for the IB, where independent thinking and deep analysis are crucial. Even when students use AI to simply generate ideas, let’s say for an essay, they may begin to slowly lose the ability to brainstorm creatively on their own. Over time, this dependence can make it harder for students to develop original thoughts without assistance. Additionally, according to The Daily Star, research indicates that when people, including students, begin to trust AI, they disengage from analyzing the information it provides. This creates another problem: students may start accepting AI-generated answers without questioning their accuracy or considering their sources. Since AI provides answers by combining information from many different places, rather than citing a single source, it can be difficult to check whether the information is reliable. As a result, students risk believing everything they are told without questioning, evaluating, and checking information, skills we have been taught to develop since middle school.
Despite these concerns, artificial intelligence can also be highly effective and a beneficial tool when used appropriately. From my personal experience, it has been particularly helpful when studying for certain subjects, especially when concepts sometimes feel too complex and difficult to understand. For example, instead of struggling with confusing explanations, AI can break information down into simpler terms, making it easier to understand key ideas. This kind of support feels almost like having a personalized tutor available at any time, adapting explanations to fit a person’s learning needs. Moreover, AI can also support the learning process by helping students explore different perspectives. While some may argue that it limits creativity, students may also discover new approaches or ways of thinking that they had not considered before, which can deepen their understanding of a topic or subject. In this way, AI does not replace thinking, but instead guide it.
Ultimately, ignoring AI is no longer an option as it has already become deeply embedded in our daily lives, whether we choose to use it or not. Rather than dismissing it as harmful, students and teachers must learn how to adapt and use it as a tool to support learning, rather than exploit it. In fact, many teachers are already beginning to incorporate AI into their classes in meaningful ways. For example, in my Portuguese class, we recently used Flint AI to simulate an author from a book we were studying, allowing us to ‘‘interview’’ the author and ask analytical questions about the book itself. Similarly, in English class, AI has been used to review our writing, providing grammatical corrections with clear explanations. This not only saves time, but also helps students understand their mistakes more effectively.
The real issue is not whether AI is making students smarter or more dependent, but how it is being used in the learning process. If students are relying on it, their critical thinking skills may weaken. However, if they engage with it actively and thoughtfully, it can deepen their understanding and support their growth. In the end, the future of education will not be defined by artificial intelligence itself, but by how students use it.
