Should Chatbots Help With Homework?

October 2023

You might have heard about the rise of artificial intelligence (A.I.) tools such as chatbots. These tools can help write essays, summarize books, and solve math problems. Some school administrators have banned bots because they worry students will use them to cheat. But other educators say chatbots can be educational aids, similar to calculators. Do you think you should be allowed to use A.I. to help with your schoolwork?

Yes

I have a lot of after-school activities, so I often am not able to get to my homework until late at night. By that point, most teachers are no longer available to answer questions. In these situations, chatbots are a big help. I don’t use them to get the answers but to make sure I understand the assignment. While I can appreciate people’s concerns that A.I. will help students cheat, the truth is students can use calculators, look at sites like Wikipedia, or just text a friend for an answer. Telling them to stay away from chatbots won’t solve the problem of cheating. When students don’t have access to teachers, A.I. is an efficient and useful resource.

—Kate Krugman, Georgia

No

I can see why it might seem effective to use A.I. for our assignments. But relying on bots would limit our ability to learn as students and grow as thinkers. Students who use chatbots for school might not properly learn the material, which would make them likely to forget important information. Using A.I. would also prevent students from learning crucial research skills. They might never know how to use a library or identify reliable sources of information. The consequences could negatively affect them in college and when they enter the workforce. Relying too heavily on bots could result in students lacking essential skills they need for life and work.