[Photo Credit: Rylie Choe]

Recently, at Archbishop Riordan High School in the San Francisco area, AI tools have become increasingly more common and have begun changing the study habits for the students that attend. 

Students have been utilizing tools such as ChatGPT to assist with homework, brainstorm ideas and even prepare for tests. 

As AI becomes an integral part of students’ daily academic routines, more than half of Riordan students report they have already tried using tools like ChatGPT to get a head start on their schoolwork.

In fact, a recent student survey of 50 students showed that about 60% have used AI for homework. 

The majority of students indicated that AI is particularly helpful for brainstorming essay ideas, checking grammar, and drafting research papers. 

“It's just faster,” one student admitted. 

Although AI provides a convenient resource for students when completing assignments or developing ideas, not everyone feels entirely comfortable using it. 

Some students confessed that they remain uncertain about where AI lies on the boundary between legitimate academic help and academic misconduct. 

English Teacher, Mr. Lin stated, “AI can be a useful aid to help start assignments, but it can't replace critical thinking.” 

He further explained, “I want students to learn how to write and analyze their own work, even if they use AI as a reference.” 

As Mr. Lin noted, one potential drawback of AI is that it may act as a barrier to students thinking critically, especially if they let AI do the thinking for them. 

Other teachers have begun establishing clear guidelines, advising students to verify AI-generated information and sources, and use it as a tool rather than an extension. 

The primary worry is that too much use can stifle the imagination and creativity. 

Junior Michael Smith agreed, saying, “ChatGPT helped me format my history essays, but sometimes it provided me with information that wasn't entirely accurate. I think teachers should be more clear about where AI can be used.”

The survey also revealed that students expressed concern about being too reliant on technology, especially AI tools. 

Although most students agreed that AI saves time, they also worried that overreliance on tools such as ChatGPT could hinder students’ creativity and originality.

In an effort to address these challenges presented by AI use in school, Riordan High School is going to be hosting a series of workshops this semester to teach teachers and students how to responsibly use AI. 

These workshops will address the plagiarism risks that come with AI, ethical procedures, and optimal uses of using AI as a teaching and learning tool, not just a shortcut. 

For now, students remain divided on the subject. 

Some view AI as a liberator, a tool that allows students to accomplish tasks that they are stuck on. 

However, others worry that it will deteriorate their creative or critical thinking skills in the long run. 

Riordan High School has started to address these concerns, and the workshops are the first step in offering guidance for both students and teachers when it comes to the use of AI. 

As this continues to evolve, Riordan students have expressed their desire for more teacher-led discussions and guidance in navigating this new educational environment. 

As AI tools and ways that it assists students are now commonplace within the student community, Riordan High School has taken early action to ensure students and teachers use these tools responsibly. 

Only time will tell whether other schools and educational institutions follow suit, and offer similar workshops that offer guidance on using AI technology within the classroom.