Is it OK to use AI when studying? | BBC Ideas

AI is already transforming

our lives. In fact,

the UK government has called AI "the defining technology

of our age". It's changing how we work, how we communicate

and how we learn. So the big question is, should your kids be using AI

to do their homework? Let's start with the AI elephant

in the room - a lot of them already are. Chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude are already helping pupils with

essays, maths problems and exams. Some use AI to check their grammar,

critique coding projects, or brainstorm ideas

for school presentations. And it's not just teenagers.

University students and teaching staff also use AI

for research, revision and project planning. The AI genie is well and truly

out of the bottle. But is this a good thing? Some worry it's the start of

a slippery slope, that kids will use AI to cheat. They'll stop thinking

for themselves, or their writing will

all start to sound a bit samey. Others see it as a great

opportunity to harness new technology to learn more,

faster and better. So what's the reality? Let's start with the positives. AI tools can help personalise

learning. If a pupil struggles with a topic, they can get help instantly without the embarrassment

of putting up their hand in class. If English is their second language, an AI chatbot can provide answers

in their first language. AI can adjust the difficulty level, offer different explanations,

and provide endless practice. Students might ask, "Explain photosynthesis to me

at a KS2 level," or, "Give me some multiple-choice

questions about the Tudors." This can support kids to learn

at their own pace. But there are downsides. One big concern is accuracy. AI chatbots can sound confident

even when they're wrong. A 2024 study found sources containing page numbers

that didn't exist, and even attributions of a paper

to an author who died long before

the publication date. That's why it's crucial for learners

to double-check, cross-reference with textbooks

and official course material, and not take everything

the chatbot says at face value. Then there's bias. AI tools are trained on existing

internet content, which means they can reflect

the biases of the internet itself. For example, generating images

that always show doctors as male and nurses as female. Do you really want your child

growing up thinking that? And then there's dependence. If students rely too much on AI,

they might miss out on developing their

own critical thinking, creativity or resilience. We all know that learning isn't just

about getting the right answer. It's about the struggle,

the mistakes and the working out. So what's the right approach? Encourage your children to be open

and honest about when they use AI. Think of it as a calculator

or a spreadsheet. We don't ban them in maths, but we do teach children

when and how to use them properly. People have different views

about AI. The Open University

advises its students to use generative AI

to work with you, not for you. And that tip can be applied

more broadly across education. AI should be used as an assistant

to learning, not a substitute. Your child could ask it to explain

a concept they're struggling with in different or simpler words. Once they think they've understood, they should check this

against another source or ask the AI to quiz them.

When writing essays, they could ask an AI for some key themes

or discussion points, then use the ones they think

work best. Here are five key things to consider

when using AI. One, get familiar with the school

or university's guidelines. This is a rapidly developing field and many are now setting

or updating their policies. Two, talk to your child's teachers, for example,

at parents' evening. How do they recommend using AI? What sources do they find reliable? Three, talk to your kids about how

and when they're using it. Encourage them to be honest. Using AI isn't necessarily cheating, but pretending you didn't

is a different story. Four, remind them

to show their working. If they use AI to brainstorm an idea

or help plan an essay, great, but they should still understand

what they've done and why. And five, get curious yourself. Try out an AI chatbot and ask it

about something you know well, like your favourite book

or your type of job. See how it answers. That way you can better understand what it's good at

and where it struggles. Finally, let's not forget learning is about more than just facts

and grades. It's about curiosity, creativity

and critical thinking. AI can support those things,

but it can't replace them. So should you support your kids

using AI for their homework? With the right guidance,

the right attitude and a bit of caution - yes, not because it will do the work

for them, but because it might help them learn

to do better work. There's a lot more

to AI chatbots than we can squeeze into a short film, but we hope this has given you

a start.