AI Learning
1 AI is already transforming our lives. In fact, the UK government has called AI "the defining
technology of our age". It's changing how we work, how we communicate and how we learn.
So the big question is, should your kids be using AI to do their homework? Let's start with
the AI elephant in the room - a lot of them already are. Chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude
are already helping pupils with essays, maths problems and exams. Some use AI to check
their grammar, critique coding projects, or brainstorm ideas for school presentations. And
it's not just teenagers. University students and teaching staff also use AI for research,
revision and project planning. The AI genie is well and truly out of the bottle. But is this a
good thing? Some worry it's the start of a slippery slope, that kids will use AI to cheat.
They'll stop thinking for themselves, or their writing will all start to sound a bit samey.
Others see it is a great opportunity to harness new technology to learn more, faster and
better. So what's the reality? Let's start with the positives. AI tools can help personalise
learning. If a pupil struggles with a topic, they can get help instantly without the
embarrassment of putting their hand up in class. If English is their second language, an AI
chatbot can provide answers in their first language. AI can adjust the difficulty level, offer
different explanations, and provide endless practice. Students might ask, "Explain
photosynthesis to me at a KS2 level," or, "Give me some multiple-choice questions about the
Tudors." This can support kids to learn at their own pace. But there are downsides. One big
concern is accuracy. AI chatbots can sound confident even when they're wrong. A 2024
study found sources containing page numbers that didn't exist, and even attributions of a
paper to an author who died long before the publication date. That's why it's crucial for
learners to double-check, cross-reference with textbooks in official course material, and not
take everything the chatbot says at face value. Then there's bias. AI tools are trained on
existing internet content, which means they can reflect the biases of the internet itself. For
example, generating images that always show doctors as male and nurses as female. Do you
really want your child growing up thinking that? And then there's dependence. If students
rely too much on AI, they might miss out on developing their own critical thinking,
creativity or resilience. We all know that learning isn't just about getting the right answer.
It's about the struggle, the mistakes and the working out. So what's the right approach?
Encourage your children to be open and honest about when they use AI. Think of it as a
calculator or a spreadsheet. We don't ban them in maths, but we do teach children when
and how to use them properly. People have different views about AI. The Open University
advises its students to use generative AI to work with you, not for you. And that tip can be
applied more broadly across education. AI should be used as an assistant to learning, not a
substitute. Your child could ask it to explain a concept they're struggling with in different or
simpler words. Once they think they've understood, they should check this against another
source or ask the AI to quiz them. When writing essays, they could ask an AI for some key
themes or discussion points, then use the ones they think work best. Here are five key
things to consider when using AI. One, get familiar with the school or university's
guidelines. This is a rapidly developing field and many are now setting or updating their
policies. Two, talk to your child's teachers, for example, at parents' evening. How do they
recommend using AI? What sources do they find reliable? Three, talk to your kids about
how and when they're using it. Encourage them to be honest. Using AI isn't necessarily
cheating, but pretending you didn't is a different story. Four, remind them to show their
working. If they use AI to brainstorm an idea or help plan an essay, great, but they should
still understand what they've done and why. And five, get curious yourself. Try out an AI
chatbot and ask it about something you know well, like your favourite book or your type of
job. See how it answers. That way you can better understand what it's good at and where it
struggles. Finally, let's not forget learning is about more than just facts and grades. It's about
curiosity, creativity and critical thinking. AI can support those things, but it can't replace
them. So should you support your kids using AI for their homework? With the right
guidance, the right attitude and a bit of caution - yes, not because it will do the work for
them, but because it might help them learn to do better work. There's a lot more to AI
chatbots than we can squeeze into a short film, but we hope this has given you a start.