This Post: Is Your Teen Using AI to Do Homework? When It’s Okay, When It’s Not, and Why It’s Not Foolproof
Written By: Nancy Reynolds
Back in the pre-AI Stone Age, we used to have to trek to the library, lug around a heavy encyclopedia, and spend hours sifting through dozens of books trying to find the information we needed for a homework project.
Research meant index cards, deciphering our hand-written notes that looked more like hieroglyphics, paper cuts, and stressful late-night study sessions trying to make sense of what we read.
Well… the world is changing as is the way kids today do homework.
Students today can just type, “What is the theory of relativity?” into an AI (artificial intelligence) chatbot and get a detailed answer, explanation, and maybe even a summary for a PowerPoint presentation in five seconds flat! (And, they’ll never know the true terror of finding out the only copy of the book they need has been checked out.)
It’s really no surprise that teens are turning to AI tools to help with their homework. AI can be a valuable tool when used responsibly. However, like all powerful tools, it requires understanding and caution, and it’s important to note, it’s not always foolproof.
Here’s a look at how AI can be beneficial for our kids, some potential pitfalls that come with relying too much on technology for schoolwork, and which AI search engines teens are most likely using.
Is Your Teen Using AI to Do Homework?
When It’s Okay, When It’s Not, and Why It’s Not Foolproof
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
In its most simplistic terms, artificial intelligence is the ability of machines to perform tasks traditionally requiring human intelligence. According to IBM, “Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision making, creativity, and autonomy.”
How AI is Changing the Way Students Learn
While some people may view AI as the death of education, Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy explained during his recent TED Talk that we’re quite possibly at the cusp of using AI for the biggest positive transformation that education has ever seen.
“The way we’re going to do that,” he explained, “is by giving every student on the planet an artificially intelligent but amazing personal tutor. And we’re going to give every teacher on the planet an amazing, artificially intelligent teaching assistant.”
When AI Can Be Beneficial
Love it or hate it, parents, AI is here to stay. And, chances are your child will be jumping on the AI bandwagon (that is, if they haven’t already).
Rather than fear it, let’s talk about how AI can be beneficial for your child, provided they use it responsibly.
Learning Support
AI tools can help your teen grasp complex subjects by providing alternative explanations, breaking down difficult concepts into easily understandable terms, and offering examples. It can be especially helpful in subjects like math and science, where detailed, easy-to-understand explanations can make a huge difference in comprehension.
Research Assistance
When your teenager has a project that requires intense research, AI tools can make their lives immensely easier. With a few keystrokes, they can have a wealth of information they can draw from right at their fingertips.
Brainstorming
Creative assignments, essays, and projects often require brainstorming ideas, and AI can help with that by providing a wide range of suggestions or inspiration that students can use as a launchpad.
Time Management
We all know teens are juggling a lot these days. AI can streamline tasks like fact-checking or grammar correction, freeing up time so they can focus on more important things… like learning!
When AI Can Be a Problem for Students
According to Education Week, AI-fueled cheating – and how to stop students from doing it – has become a major concern for educators.
But the good news is that the problem may not be quite as bad as educators think.
“Of the more than 200 million writing assignments reviewed by Turnitin’s AI detection tool over the past year, some AI use was detected in about 1 out of 10 assignments, while only 3 out of every 100 assignments were generated mostly by AI,” said the company’s chief product officer, Annie Chechitelli.
The fact is, having AI as a valuable tool may tempt students to cheat, but educators are becoming smarter about detecting it which is causing students to think before turning in assignments that are fully AI-generated. Thus, if your child is using AI for research or homework/project assistance, it’s likely okay (encourage them to talk with their teacher(s) or professors to determine class rules and guidelines), provided they don’t use it as a crutch to do their homework for them.
It’s Important to Note:
AI Detection Tools Don’t Always Accurately Differentiate Between Human-Generated and AI-Generated Answers
Human-generated content is written by a person. AI-generated content is written by an algorithm. And, sometimes differentiating between the two isn’t that easy – even for AI detection tools. (More on AI detection tools later in this article.)
For instance, I wrote a 100% human-generated blog post and scanned the content in an AI detection tool and it came up as “Highly confident this text is AI-generated.” I then generated AI-created content (with a few minor changes), put it into the same AI detection tool and it came back as “Highly confident this is human-generated.”
To experiment further, in my 100% human-generated post that came back as AI-generated, I removed some of the “bigger” words such as “inadvertently,” “devoid,” “inexplicably,” etc. – interestingly, it then came back as human-generated.
Thus, two things to keep in mind:
- AI detection tools are not foolproof. (See the Washington Post’s article: Detecting AI May Be Impossible. That’s a Big Problem for Teachers)
- If your child uses words, language, or phrases similar to those generated by AI models, the information your child puts into the AI detection tool may come back inaccurately as AI-generated
Why Students Should Use Caution When Using AI
There’s no question AI can be helpful, but there are several reasons why students shouldn’t use it as a primary (or sole) resource for research and homework.
It’s Not Always Accurate
AI tools like ChatGPT might be convincing for students to use, but they CAN produce incorrect answers and they’re certainly not infallible. If your child doesn’t have a solid grasp of the topic they’re researching, it’s going to be difficult to spot mistakes in AI-generated responses.
It Lacks Depth and Critical (Human) Thinking Skills
AI can provide information, but it doesn’t foster the critical thinking skills developed through reading, analyzing, and solving problems independently. Over-relying on AI can prevent students from fully understanding the material.
It Can Hinder Learning
While AI can answer questions and help with research, it doesn’t replace actual learning. If your teen uses AI to help with a math problem, for instance, it may not offer the specific steps to achieve the answer which won’t help them fully understand concepts.
Over-Reliance on Technology
By using AI as a shortcut, students miss out on opportunities to develop patience, discipline, and perseverance – skills they’ll need in the real world where instant answers aren’t always available.
It May Present Plagiarism Concerns
AI-generated content can be similar to existing content on the web, leading to possible issues with plagiarism. Teens who rely on AI-generated responses without modifications risk violating school policies on originality and academic integrity.
Which AI Search Engines Are Teens Using for Homework Help?
Here are a FEW (far too many to mention!) popular AI search engines teens might turn to for help, each offering different levels of assistance and AI-powered tools.
These platforms offer diverse AI functionalities, from search capabilities to specialized academic support. (Most of these AI tools offer a free tier, while others you may have to pay for.)
1. ChatGPT (OpenAI)
ChatGPT is a great choice for students seeking answers to questions or help with complex topics. (It’s the one my kids and many of their friends use most often.) They can input specific questions or ask for summaries, explanations, or even essay drafts.
2. Google’s Gemini
Like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini (previously called Bard) is considered one of the most advanced AI tools for 2024. It’s great for generating answers, finding information, and exploring questions on diverse topics with access to recent web data, which ChatGPT doesn’t always have. Gemini can be a powerful digital tutor and study partner that students can turn to when they’re stuck, need quick information, or want help organizing their work.
3. Claude by Anthropic
Claude, similar to ChatGPT, is a perfect choice for students looking for reliable information with an emphasis on ethical AI use. It’s great for assisting with complex queries, research, and creating content for essays, etc.
4. Microsoft Bing Chat
Microsoft Bing Chat provides real-time answers, citations, and the ability to browse the web. It’s great for research since it includes sources directly in its responses.
5. Perplexity.ai
Perplexity offers AI-driven answers with sources cited alongside each response, making it ideal for reliable information gathering, citations, and deeper insights into topics. One notable difference between Perplexity and other AI assistants is that it offers sources in the form of links to supplement its answers.
6. Khan Academy (AI-Powered Tutor)
Partnering with OpenAI, Khan Academy offers an AI tutor called “Khanmigo” to help students with questions and learning paths in a wide range of subjects, making it a fantastic resource for educational AI interactions. The cool part is, Khanmigo challenges students to think critically and solve problems without giving direct answers – a big plus for a lot of parents and educators.
7. Wolfram Alpha
Wolfram Alpha focuses on computational questions, math problems, scientific data, and complex queries. It’s widely used for STEM-related research and queries requiring precise calculations or data-driven answers.
8. ChatPDF
ChatPDF is a tool that uses natural language processing to read, understand, and extract information from PDFs. Students can ask questions, get answers, and extract insights from PDFs.
9. Doctrina
Doctrina is a cool AI tool that can summarize and improve class notes, help students structure thoughts and generate essay ideas, prepare for exams by creating personalized tests and it can even create interactive quizzes based on preferences so students can efficiently assess their knowledge and comprehension.
10. Brainly
Brainly helps crack tough homework questions, simplify academic concepts that are challenging to grasp or answer any queries students might have about a certain educational topic. It also references relevant textbooks that students can use to help improve their learning experience.
11. Trinka
Trinka can be incredibly useful when a student is looking to fine-tune their research papers or work on project work, and writing skills. It also offers a plagiarism checker so students can ensure their writing remains original. Additionally, its Publication Readiness Check ensures that your paper is ready to be submitted by grading it against 20 standard publication requirements.
12. You.com
You.com can serve as your teen’s personalized AI assistant. They’ll be able to access all the latest AI technology, including the newest and most powerful AI models, to prepare for exams, improve their writing, and tackle projects with ease. It’s like having a personal tutor, a researcher, and a data analyst all rolled into one.
How to Detect AI-Generated Content
If you’re worried your teen might be using AI to fully complete their homework (as opposed to using it as a supplemental tool), there are a few reliable tools you can use to detect AI-generated content and help guide them toward balanced academic habits.
(These are just a few tools… there are many available!)
1. Turnitin AI Detection Tool
Many teens are familiar with Turnitin’s plagiarism-checking features. Turnitin Draft Coach helps students avoid unintentional plagiarism by teaching proper citation and giving originality feedback. It’s especially useful for building research skills and learning to write with integrity.
2. GPTZero
GPTZero is designed specifically to spot AI-generated text. It analyzes writing for “perplexity” (a measure of word unpredictability) and “burstiness” (natural human variability in writing).
3. QuillBot’s AI Detector
QuillBot’s AI detector, in addition to their writing and grammar tools, helps users check if text was likely generated by AI, using unique patterns AI-generated content tends to exhibit.
Tips to Encourage Your Teen to Use AI Responsibly
It’s all about balance and using AI to complement and supplement their learning rather than using it as a crutch to do their homework for them. Here are a few tips to guide your teen in finding a healthy balance:
- Encourage Transparency: Talk with your teen about their homework habits and emphasize the value and importance of learning over shortcuts.
- Set Guidelines: Talk to them about when it’s okay to use AI tools for research or brainstorming, but make sure they understand the importance and value of developing their unique skills and critical thinking.
- Discuss Their Goals: What do they hope to achieve by using AI tools? Are they seeking a better understanding, or are they aiming for quick answers? Helping them identify their goals can lead to more responsible use.
- Encourage Them to Verify Answers: Remind your teen to double-check AI-provided answers. AI tools are not foolproof and they aren’t always accurate. Encourage them to look up information, compare sources, or discuss answers with their teacher or classmates to verify accuracy.
- Use AI as a Tool and a Supplement, Not a substitute: For example, they might use Grammarly to catch errors in a draft but still review the paper themselves to ensure they understand the rules of grammar.
- Talk About Plagiarism and How it Can Affect Their School Record: Educate your teen about plagiarism and explain the consequences of submitting AI-generated content without modification. Encourage them to use AI for inspiration but make it clear that all work should reflect their own words and understanding.
- Make Sure They Understand that Mistakes are Part of the Learning Journey: Help them see that learning involves effort, and mistakes mean their learning and trying. AI may offer instant solutions, but the satisfaction of working through a problem is far more rewarding and educational.
Final Thoughts
AI is here to stay… and, used responsibly it can help your teen’s ability to understand, learn and retain information. However, they must understand the limits and potential pitfalls.
Keep the lines of communication wide open with your kids. With the help of AI, they can hone their critical thinking, research, writing and communication, and time management skills – all of which will serve them well far beyond their school years.
If you enjoyed reading, “Is Your Teen Using AI to Do Homework? When It’s Okay, When It’s Not, and Why It’s Not Foolproof,” here are a few other posts you might like!
Disorganized and Distracted: 6 Tips to Help Your Teen Tackle Homework with Confidence