Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been an expanding tool and resource throughout the world in 2025. Not too long ago, AI was seen neither as a tool nor a resource, but just a way to cheat. However, AI is now seeing more and more usage within schools, often even being encouraged.
English teacher Shannon Axtell has incorporated AI into her lessons this year regarding the ethical dilemma of AI. In these lessons, students looked at both the pros and cons of AI in school and in the workplace, its potential impact in the future, as well as the ethical side of using AI. Axtell also believes AI can be a resource for teachers.
“It is definitely a resource for assigning work,” Axtell said. “As tech advances, I have to learn how to use the tech too, so I answer questions and collaborate with students…If I flat out refuse, I will get left behind.”
Students have discovered a variety of ways to take advantage of AI and use it to assist them. Senior Kemal Olgar says he uses AI for ideas on work or seeks it out for help if he gets lost on certain assignments, stating that the technology can be “very helpful.”
“[AI can be a good tool] to a certain extent, for some people who know how to use it,” senior Rishil Kodela said.
Kodela did a project for AP Research about AI’s usefulness in science classrooms, specifically on how it can help improve analysis passages. Kodela’s research found that 66% of students using AI scored higher than those who did not use AI.
“It showed students can learn better when given AI,” Kodela said.
However, with the rise of AI usage, there are some risks to excessively relying on and potentially abusing it.
“I feel some people will rely on it and not think for themselves,” Olgar said.
Despite this possibility, AI can still benefit humans when used correctly.
“I feel AI is most useful when paired with the human brain and human creativity,” Kodela said. “But I still think the creativity of the human mind will have its presence in the world.”
Concerns of plagiarism with AI persist as teachers struggle to find the right balance of academic integrity and AI assistance in the classroom.
“I think students will rely on it heavily. There has always been a culture of cheating,” Axtell said. “But I believe that as AI was created, there will be other technological advances that help teachers and academic professors spot cheating.”
Despite the questions of ethics, AI will surely be used in the future and is becoming increasingly common in our everyday lives, from learning about new topics to helping craft ideas. AI has exploded and is likely here to stay.
