Like any tool, its value lies in how it’s used. The challenge for schools is not just to prevent cheating, but to foster a culture where curiosity, integrity, and real understanding matter more than just the right answer.  

Abeerah Hilal

In classrooms across the world, a new kind of assistant is showing up—not a teaching aide or tutor, but Artificial Intelligence. From AI-powered writing tools like ChatGPT to math-solving apps and automatic summarizers, students now have access to technologies that can answer questions, write essays, and even take practice exams. But with these advancements comes a critical question: is AI helping students learn, or giving them new ways to cheat?

The New Digital Tutor

AI tools have brought undeniable benefits to education. They provide instant explanations, personalized feedback, and 24/7 support—something no human teacher can consistently offer. Students struggling with math, reading comprehension, or even coding can now access free or low-cost tools that adapt to their learning styles.

“AI is like having a tutor in your pocket,” says Angela Morris, a high school teacher in Toronto. “For students who need extra help or different ways of learning, it’s a game-changer.”

Apps like Duolingo use AI to tailor language lessons to a student’s progress. Platforms like Khan Academy’s AI tutor offer step-by-step help, and writing assistants help students improve grammar and clarity in real-time.

Cheating Made Easy?

But the flip side is troubling. AI can also do students’ work for them—no learning required. Students can ask AI to write essays, solve homework problems, or generate code. In some cases, entire assignments are submitted without a single original thought from the student.

Read: Is Using AI for Homework Cheating?

“Academic dishonesty has become harder to detect and easier to commit,” says Dr. Julian Ross, an education policy expert. “We’re seeing cases where students pass without understanding the material at all.”

Many schools are responding by revising academic integrity policies, using AI detection software, and placing more emphasis on in-class assessments and oral exams.

A Shifting Role for Teachers

Educators now face a balancing act: how to embrace AI’s potential without letting it undermine the learning process. Some teachers are incorporating AI into their lessons, teaching students how to use it ethically—like brainstorming essay ideas or fact-checking sources.

“It’s not about banning AI,” says Morris. “It’s about teaching students to use it responsibly—just like calculators or the internet.”

Some schools are even designing AI literacy classes to help students critically assess what AI tools do well—and where they fall short.

The Bigger Picture

The debate over AI in education mirrors a broader conversation about how we define learning. Is memorizing facts still valuable when AI can provide answers instantly? Should education focus more on creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving?

AI won’t replace teachers anytime soon—but it is changing the classroom dynamic. Whether it becomes a crutch or a catalyst depends largely on how students, teachers, and institutions adapt.

Conclusion

AI in education is both a powerful learning tool and a potential shortcut. Like any tool, its value lies in how it’s used. The challenge for schools is not just to prevent cheating, but to foster a culture where curiosity, integrity, and real understanding matter more than just the right answer.

Read – Artificial Intelligence: The Creative Void

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Abeerah Hilal is a student of Mass Communication Department, University of Karachi Sindh