Goundo Gueye
Artificial intelligence is becoming a normal part of college life. Many students now use AI tools to help with homework, writing assignments, and studying. What started as a new technology is quickly turning into something students use almost every day.
AI programs can be very helpful for students, especially for things such as coming up with ideas, summarizing readings, fixing grammar, and drafting emails to professors. Because these tools work quickly, many students say they make schoolwork easier and less stressful.
But not everyone agrees that using AI in this way is a good thing.
Some students believe AI is simply another tool that helps them work more efficiently. Others worry that students may rely on it too much instead of developing their own skills.
Jordan Miller, a second-year college student at CCBC, said AI can be useful when assignments feel confusing.
“Sometimes I use AI to help explain something from a reading,” Miller said. “If I don’t understand it the first time, it helps break it down.”
Many students say they mainly use AI for smaller tasks, such as checking grammar before submitting assignments.
According to the Pew Research Center, younger adults are some of the fastest adopters of AI technology. Many students are experimenting with these tools to help with schoolwork and everyday tasks.
For students with busy schedules, extra help can make a big difference.
Maria Lopez, a first-year CCBC student, said AI helps her save time when she is balancing work and classes.
“I work part time and sometimes I’m really busy,” Lopez said. “If AI helps me understand something faster, that makes studying easier.”
However, some professors believe students should be careful when using AI for academic work.
Writing and critical thinking are important skills in college, and some educators worry that depending too much on AI could weaken those abilities.
Professor Sara Leu, who teaches Principles of Management at CCBC, said AI should be used as a support tool, not a replacement for learning.
“Technology can be helpful, but students still need to develop their own ideas,” Leu said. “If students rely on AI for everything, they may not learn the skills they need.”
Another concern is academic honesty. Colleges across the country are still deciding how to handle AI in classrooms and assignments.
According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities, many schools are currently reviewing their academic integrity policies as AI tools become more common among students.
Some students also have mixed feelings about using AI.
While many say it helps them stay organized and work faster, others believe students should still try to complete assignments on their own first.
“I think AI is helpful, but people shouldn’t depend on it too much,” Miller said. “If it starts doing everything for you, you’re not really learning anymore.”
Technology has always played a role in education. Tools such as calculators and spell checks have all changed the way students complete their work. AI is the newest example of how technology is shaping the classroom.
Liz Mineo, a staff writer at Harvard, believes that the real issue is not the technology itself, but how people choose to use it.
If students use AI to help with their learning, it can make studying more efficient. But if students begin to rely on it too heavily, it may make it harder for them to develop important academic skills.
As AI continues to grow, colleges will likely keep debating how it should be used in the classroom.
For now, many students see it as a helpful tool. Others see it as something that could change the way students learn forever.
