How to use AI as a study buddy
AI is great at summarizing and consolidating information, and when used effectively, large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini can be tools that help your learning process. Some, such as ChatGPT, even have a “study and learn” mode that will provide examples and prompt you with questions to get you thinking about a topic rather than simply revealing an answer. Here are some ways you might explore using AI as a homework helper.
- Use it to create quick quizzes. These can be fill-in-the-blank exercises, true or false questions, or matching exercises that make reviewing more dynamic. This process is especially effective if you feed the AI class notes and tell it not to change any of the wording.
- Have it organize your study notes. AI is great for putting notes in a format that then makes it easier to create flashcards on a platform like Quizlet.
- Ask it to build you a study guide. Feed the AI your class notes, and have it organize the notes. Then tell it to create a summary sheet of the information and build an outline for the notes.
- Use it to jump-start your brainstorming. If you’re having trouble getting started on a written assignment, ask AI to provide some unfinished sentence starters for your introduction. Then, try finishing those sentences on your own in various ways.
Of course, before you use AI at all, be sure to check out your school’s and your teachers’ policies. Policies vary from school to school and teacher to teacher, from no AI allowed at all to AI for many assignments. Most fall in between, and your teachers might have different rules for different assignments. If you’re working with a tutor or a coach, they’ll expect you to share those policies and follow them when working on assignments.
Why AI isn't ready take over as your tutor
While generative AI has come a long way in the past year or two, it’s still far from infallible and sometimes presents completely made-up ideas as if they were proven facts. And, while it’s more reliable in topics like language, history, or geography, it tends to struggle with math and science, though it is improving. AI has been known to:
- Create sets of practice problems with flawed answer keys or multiple-choice questions with no correct answers
- Have delusions that involve making up a rule, formula, concept, or event (who knew Jane Goodall became an astronaut? We certainly didn't!), and give incorrect guidance as a result
- Provide explanations that diverge sharply from your teacher's explanations or curriculum and therefore cause confusion.
As a result, if you're relying only on guidance from an AI without a knowledgeable human fact-checker by your side, you may end up absorbing incorrect information or becoming frustrated.
Why you need a human in the loop
Does this mean that you should never use AI? Not at all! However, because AI is susceptible to error, it’s vital to be aware of its limitations and always use it along with a human in the loop, someone who can provide guidance and double-check equations and facts. Never trust AI implicitly (no matter how confidently it seems to present its information!).
Remember too that an LLM doesn’t know who you are as a learner. A human tutor can discern your strengths and weaknesses and customize the learning process, making adjustments over time. Not to mention, text-based or even speech-based instruction from an AI won't include crucial aspects of instruction like encouragement and honest discussions around motivation.
So, no, AI might not be quite ready to assume the role of your tutor. However, when used properly, it can absolutely be a helpful tool.
Pro tips for learning with AI
If you’re going to incorporate AI into your study process, here are a few tips to make sure that you’re getting the most out of it, and that it’s helping, not harming, your learning experience.
- Write effective prompts. Know your goals before writing your prompt. Give the most clear, specific instructions you can. Share context by giving a sample of what you’re looking to do.
- Don’t rely on AI for the same parts of projects over and over. Perhaps try it for brainstorming support one time, but then do your own brainstorming the next time. Same with proofreading and editing. This can help keep your skills sharp.
- Don’t use the same chat for multiple projects. As a given chat gets longer and longer, at a certain point, the likelihood that the AI will “hallucinate” information increases, and its rationality tends to deteriorate. Start a new chat with each new project.
- Don’t let yourself become overly dependent on AI. Sure, using AI makes things easier, but make certain there are still times that you’re digging in and doing the brainstorming and studying on your own. It’s good for our brains to hurt when we’re learning. That means we’re doing the learning part! Don’t be afraid of that challenge—get excited about it! Remember, real learning isn’t just about creating a finished product; it’s about building your knowledge base and critical thinking skills.