“Using AI is a basic life skill now, and if you’re not using it, you’ll be at a competitive disadvantage,” says Matt Hall, a professor in Texas.
This mindset is catching on fast. The use of AI in classrooms is rising fast, with nearly half of US teachers and K-12 students report using ChatGPT on a weekly basis.
Teachers are using it to plan lessons, give quick feedback, and support students more effectively. Students are turning to AI for explanations, practice, and even help with brainstorming.
Even younger learners are benefiting. Elementary school students are using AI-powered programmes to build foundational skills in reading and math.
Take Aren Uzun, a 12-year-old seventh-grader in California, who uses a Reading Coach after school to improve his reading and speaking. He says the extra practice is helping him earn higher grades.
In schools across the world, AI is transforming the learning experience, making it more efficient, engaging, and inclusive.
But as with any powerful tool, it depends on how it’s used.
AI in classrooms is here to stay. That’s why the new generation needs to learn how to use it to study smarter. Source: AFP
AI use in schools is growing
AI is transforming education, offering tools to support both teaching and learning. But its rise also brings tough questions. Should students use AI to write essays or solve problems?
Can it be trusted to provide fair and unbiased answers? And if AI starts doing more of the talking, what happens to the teacher’s role?
A recent study of 2,232 US public school teachers found that 60% are already using AI in classrooms. They’re using it to create worksheets, modify lessons for different learning needs, and design tests, saving up to six hours a week.
Still, the growing use of AI raises concerns. Many educators worry that students will misuse technology or become overly reliant on it.
The data reflects this shift in behaviour: 48% of students now say they use ChatGPT at least once a week, up 27% points from last year.
Yet, when used with care, AI offers real benefits. Within seconds, it can boost (not replace) creativity, and free up time for teachers to focus on what matters most — connecting with students.
The key is not to resist the technology but to guide its use.
5 best ways to use AI in classrooms
Disclaimer: Never copy and paste from AI and call it you work. Any AI tool is like a super smart calculator or a really fast research assistant, not your brain’s replacement. Be honest when using it for homework and projects, making sure you still do the thinking and double-check everything it tells you. Even better, list and explain how you use it so your teachers know. If in doubt, always ask your teachers before using AI.
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ChatGPT or a tutor? For today’s students, the answer might surprise you.
In a survey by Intelligent.com, 10% of high school and college students said they used both. But when asked which they preferred, many leaned toward the AI.
“I’ve been using ChatGPT to study, and it’s honestly so convenient,” says Johnson Adegoke to Intelligent.com. “It’s always available, gives instant answers, and lets me learn on my own terms.”
“While it’s not quite the same as talking to a real person, I love that I can re-read answers, take my time, and get help anytime I need it.”
Turns out he’s not alone — 85% of students surveyed said they found studying with ChatGPT “more effective than working with a tutor.”
“I’ve had a couple math and science concepts where the lecture and text book explanation doesn’t click with me, so I’ll discuss with an LLM to figure them out,” shares Reddit user xela112233.
“But I always double-check after, as LLMs are notorious for making up math and obscure topics.”
One popular way to use AI in classrooms? To proofread your work. Source: AFP
2. Check and improve your work
Students use AI in classrooms for many reasons. Some want to complete assignments quickly, others want to avoid making mistakes.
Then there are those who just want an easy way to avoid work.
But the reasons for using AI in classrooms aren’t always negative.
The 2024 Global AI Student Survey reports that many students are using AI tools to check their grammar (42%), summarise documents (33%), paraphrase (28%), and create a first draft (24%).
Reddit user Strict_Beat_2123 uses AI to feel confident in submitting their assignments, writing: “I use AI Blaze. It helps me correct my grammar and spelling mistakes.”
Another user, kabinetguy26, uses it as a writing aid. “I’m in a class where we write 20+ page lab reports,” they explain. “I’ve been using AI to help with my introductions and conclusions. I don’t copy paste but I like that it gives me a good structure to get started.”
With AI in classrooms, teachers automate routine tasks and focus more on student engagement. Source: AFP
3. Teach better
It’s not just students who use AI in classrooms — teachers are finding new ways to make it work for them too.
The Artificial Intelligence in Education 2024 Report finds that 42% of educators who use AI in classrooms say it helps them save time on administrative work.
Others use it to:
- Personalise learning (25%)
- Keep students engaged (18%)
- Improve outcomes (17%)
- Manage their classrooms better (6%)
Just 1% said they saw no benefits.
Reddit user InnerB0yka, for example, used AI to teach nonparametric statistics, a very tricky stats topic.
“I came in with a list of four questions I wanted my students to answer by the end of the class. I let them work in pairs and I urged them to use ChatGPT, Google whatever they wanted.”
The questions were designed so no single source could give the students everything they needed.
“In the end, they realised their information didn’t match up. But that got them talking and thinking,” says InnerB0yka. “It was a way to use active learning in the classroom and it was a big success.”
Khan Academy believes that using AI in classrooms can create interactive and engaging experiences that drive deep learning. Source: AFP
4. Tailor the learning to what you need
Every student learns differently. Some pick up new ideas quickly, while others need extra time and practice. AI can help bridge that gap by adjusting lessons to match each student’s pace and level.
One example is Khanmigo, a tool created by Khan Academy. It’s an AI-powered tutor that guides students through math problems, reading comprehension, and more — not just by giving answers, but by asking helpful questions and encouraging critical thinking.
“This is the first time in the journey of tech that we can tell teachers, ‘This will be fewer things for you to do. Yes, there’s a little bit of a learning curve, but it will save you time,” says Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy.
A teacher using Khanmigo can assign activities and let students interact with the AI while focusing their attention on those who need more personal support.
It’s like having a second set of hands in the classroom, giving students instant, individualised help.
The reach of AI in classrooms is far; you can use it to learn languages as well. Source: AFP
5. Supporting language learning
Learning a new language takes time, practice, and confidence. AI tools can make that process more engaging and less intimidating for students.
Apps like Duolingo Max, powered by OpenAI, enable you to role-play real-life conversations and receive personalised explanations for their answers. This makes practice more interactive and memorable.
“I really like it, especially Roleplay and the phone conversations with Lily,” shares a Reddit user, Life_Confidence_123.
“You can respond to a question with as much detail as you want. This is helpful both for vocabulary word recall and on-the-fly conjugation.”
