Artificial intelligence is being used by more students every day, and while some people think it helps, I believe AI is starting to hurt. Many students rely on it too much, and it’s changing the way people think, write, and learn.
Freshman Noah McAuley attending Leaders High School said that students use AI in different ways. “Some people just put the whole question into ChatGPT and copy whatever it says,” he said. “Others actually use it to check their work or understand something better.”
Many students now depend on AI for quick answers instead of learning. Research from the Journal of Educational Technology (2024) and Edutopia (2024) found that students who use ChatGPT often remember less and perform worse on later assignments.
Teachers have also noticed the change in students. Mrs. H, who teaches psychology at Seton Hall University, said, “You see writing that doesn’t sound like them. There’s a loss of individuality and effort.”
AI often produces work that looks perfect but lacks personal style, which supports Mrs. H’s observation about students losing their own voice.
Mrs. H also said, “Some students don’t understand what they’re learning anymore,” She added: “Schools should teach how to use AI correctly instead of just banning it.”
Parents, like Candelaria Cuautle, also believe schools should teach students how to use AI responsibly. She said she’s not too worried about AI as long as her child is guided. “I make sure my child understands the risks of misinformation,” she said. Her perspective supports what Mrs. H mentioned that instead of banning AI, schools should help students learn how to use it in the right way
Some parents worry that traditional learning like reading books might fade away. A recent survey found that 65% of parents are concerned about students depending too heavily on digital tools (National PTA, 2024).
As McAuley said, “Students should use AI to learn, not to cheat.” I agree. AI is hurting more than helping students because it often replaces real effort, discourages critical thinking, and encourages overuse instead of understanding the material. Until students learn to use it responsibly, it will continue to have a negative effect on academic performance.