Breaking Education

AI in education is transforming classrooms, and the challenge is integrating it in ways that build critical thinking and prepare students for the future.

It’s a rainy Wednesday in Chicago. Cole, an 8th grade student, is struggling to keep his grades up. But Cole’s challenge isn’t missed homework or a tough home life. His struggle is with something new: the improper use of AI.

To understand what’s happening, we need to look at how education has traditionally worked, what motivates students like Cole, and how technology is changing the landscape.

AI has been life-changing for millions of people worldwide. Entrepreneurs use it to launch businesses, professionals use it to solve problems faster, and creatives use it to spark ideas. In education, though, AI is often used quietly, hidden beneath the surface of schoolwork. And teachers are right to be concerned. If students simply copy assignments from AI tools, they miss the chance to apply critical thinking and truly engage with their work.

Today’s AI tools — like ChatGPT — are so powerful that students could, in theory, coast through nearly every assignment. Math, science, literature, philosophy — AI can generate answers quickly and accurately. And for students like Cole, the temptation is clear: it’s efficient. Why not finish homework in minutes and save time for cramming tomorrow’s test?

But this raises an important question: how do we marry education and AI? At first, it feels like they don’t belong together. Our instincts tell us to ban the technology, go back to textbooks and handwritten essays. But is that really better?

Students today are entering a workforce that’s not just competitive with other graduates — it’s competitive with AI itself. AI is faster, more scalable, never takes breaks, and is cheaper for companies to use. To leave students unprepared for this reality by banning AI in schools is a disservice to their futures.

The answer isn’t less AI. The answer is smarter AI integration.

A balanced approach could look like this:

AI as a tutor at home — supporting students in learning concepts more quickly while offering individualized guidance. Assignments should be intentionally designed to leverage AI, encouraging students to ask deeper questions, think critically, and explore creative problem-solving rather than just copy answers.

Classroom time for discussion and critical thinking — ensuring students don’t lose the ability to analyze, debate, and collaborate. This is the space for social learning, team-based projects, and abstract thinking. Teachers should avoid relying on individualized busywork or long lectures that AI could handle more efficiently — and that often leave some students behind.

A recent study by Greg Kestin, Kelly Miller, Anna Klales, Timothy Milbourne, and Gregorio Ponti from Nature.com shows the potential of this model. They found that students learn significantly more in less time when using AI tutors compared to traditional in-class methods. Even more importantly, students reported feeling more engaged and motivated.

In a world where technology is shaping every industry, education can’t afford to lag behind. Students already live in a customized, tech-driven environment. They enjoy using AI, and research shows it speeds up learning while improving motivation. Rather than resisting, schools should lean into this reality — and teach students how to use AI properly, efficiently, and responsibly.

Yes, new technology can feel uncertain. But with thoughtful integration, AI doesn’t replace learning — it enhances it. And when used well, it helps students like Cole not just get by, but thrive.

Reference:

Kestin, G., Miller, K., Klales, A. et al. AI tutoring outperforms in-class active learning: an RCT introducing a novel research-based design in an authentic educational setting. Sci Rep 15, 17458 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97652-6