A Tool, not a Shortcut by Gustavo Marín

Exact Purpose: Try to convince student to use AI ethically in their academics

Humanity is known for all of its things, from our unique forms of expression in art and music to the need to explore the vast world. But I believe that our most prominent signature would have to be our innovations, innovations that mold entire generations, innovations that help societies advance, innovations that completely uproot the way life is as they know it. From the wheel that made transportation much simpler, to electricity that helps us power everything that we need, and the internet that connects us on a global scale (U.S. Department of Education). This has led to one of the things that has taken us by storm: Artificial Intelligence. A.I. has impacted the world in all of its aspects, and more importantly, it has entirely changed our education systems, leaving many concerns on whether it’s a net positive or negative for students (Ateeq et al). As a proud member of this generation, I have seen A.I. used frequently in many different ways all throughout my middle school years, some of which crossed the boundaries of what is right. Well, I believe that if Artificial Intelligence is used responsibly and ethically, then we benefit from such a tool while also maintaining wholehearted and honest morals. A.I. should never replace the soul of learning, it should enhance it.

Writing is a core skill that has been ingrained in humans for thousands of years. It has been the way we communicate across time and truly understand one another. However, just as we evolved, so did writing; it became easier and easier to express our needs, thoughts, or assessments. But now, this skill that has long been a part of us is slowly dying, as less and less of our writing truly comes from ourselves. It has reached a magnum opus of sorts, where students are using tools, like AI, to generate ideas and thoughts while putting in little to no effort (Mahapatra). But it’s not just writing. Any task that seems even slightly daunting can now be resolved with the push of a button. Now, imagine you’re a teacher. A teacher who has worked for several years, giving 110% of their effort to ensure their students not only learn the material but also develop a love for learning. You assign a project that requires a decent amount of research, but if spaced out properly, it shouldn’t be overwhelming. It sounds reasonable, it sounds like just another assignment. But the students see it as a daunting task they can’t even imagine completing. Then they see the forbidden fruit, and just like Eve, they give in to temptation and use AI to do the work for them. But if the fruit of effort is understanding, then A.I. should never be the serpent convincing us to take shortcuts. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart. Now imagine the teacher, who truly believed they were doing their job to the best of their ability, only to have their heart completely shattered when their students walk all over them by not doing any of the work themselves. That is the main problem when it comes to AI, it has gone from being a tool for solving problems to a tool for encouraging laziness. That should be the purpose of such a tool; it should be used to help students refine, not replace, their writing. 

Too many of us use AI for reasons that are beyond justification, simply to avoid putting in the extra work. This has led to a lot of skepticism about what is truly created by students versus by machines, and I believe we need to uphold our academic honesty. When it comes to plagiarism, there has never been an easier time to do it than in the present. But risking respect and trust just to avoid the burden of doing the work is absurd. Students are becoming lazier and lazier, putting less effort into their work and turning in content that isn’t theirs. This is ethically wrong and is simply a slap in the face to all the students who do try, who do give it their all, who do want the best for themselves, only to do worse than somebody who just copied and pasted. Artificial intelligence is such a fascinating technology when not copied word for word, bar for bar, becomes immensely useful. Let’s say you’re starting a project and you have the biggest writer’s block of all time, where you can’t seem to get anywhere no matter what you try. Instead of wallowing in your defeat, you’ve decided to use the tools around you to actually take the first step in the right direction, which is often the hardest one in the writing process, but the one at which A.I. excels at helping humans. It can give you some suggestions, it can give you articles to go study, and it can serve as your training wheels before you’re ready to bike on your own. But just like training wheels, you can’t use them for your life. You have to do the work so that you yourself are the one who walks away from each assignment learning a little more, instead of walking in and out without learning or taking anything away from it. AI can be that first step on the long road, not about shortcuts, but about “testing whether this nation… can long endure.”

Everyone needs that extra push, since we are all vastly different from one another. There are so many differences among us that it can be difficult for people to express themselves or understand the material they’re given. This is what truly highlights how useful AI can be, when used properly, because it helps everyone learn in their own unique way, which leads to better outcomes. With people coming from so many different backgrounds, A.I. has the ability to specialize in countless ways, it’s honestly jaw-dropping. If a student struggles with a second language, A.I. is trained in almost all languages and can assist (Chen and Gong). If someone is a visual learner, A.I. can generate images that explain the material clearly (Hong). If a student struggles with a concept, A.I. can explain it in a way that simply makes sense to them. The point I’m trying to make is this: A.I. can be the bridge that helps us reach our full potential, the missing piece that, when connected, can truly change how students learn. We’re all different in our own special ways. We all have strengths we excel in, but we also have weaknesses, weaknesses that plague us and prevent us from becoming the people we were meant to be. But with AI, those weaknesses can be worked on. They don’t have to be such a burden. However, this isn’t a call to use AI for everything. It’s a call to use it better, more effectively than ever before. AI, at its best, can lift us all by tailoring learning to every student, no matter where they come from or how they learn. It’s what we call the audacity of hope, and we must bring that audacity into our classrooms.

Just like how we are all different in our own ways, we have to realize that A.I. is just like any other tool. The difference is that other tools aren’t as powerful, but A.I. is still just a tool. We must remind ourselves that if we don’t understand the material being presented, it’s our responsibility to comprehend it, not A.I.’s. Just like using a calculator in math, you still need to understand the basics and the formulas to succeed. Otherwise, it’s like unlocking a door without knowing how the key works. A.I. has been bashed beyond the breaking point due to the controversy that it will “turn our brains off” (U.S. Department of Education). But that’s the exact opposite of the point I want to make. Instead of turning it off, turn it on. Quit zoning out, start thinking sharp. Instead of replacing thought, begin rethinking. AI shouldn’t dull our thinking, it should sharpen it.

The future is yours. Don’t let A.I. run it.
Thank you for listening.

May 14, 2025