AI in Education: Revolution or Risk?

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we live, work, and learn. In schools, AI tools like adaptive learning and accessibility improvements are making education more efficient. At the same time, the concerns about how AI might ruin students’ ability to think independently, the rise of academic dishonesty, and privacy risks are growing faster than ever. With AI becoming a permanent part of education, the real question actually becomes, how do we use AI without losing the core values that generations before us have learned? 

AI has already made its way into classrooms across the world; hundreds, if not millions, of schools are using AI-driven websites and platforms to adjust to students’ strengths and weaknesses, helping them learn at their own pace. All this to say, teachers are also benefiting from the use of AI as it saves time with repetitive tasks like grading. This saved time allows them to focus on engaging with students more. But like everything, there are also downsides to the recurrent use of AI. The same media and information that can help students learn better can also make it easier for them to cheat more. Apps that generate essays and solve math problems raise the question of whether students are actually learning or whether they are relying on technology to do their work for them.

Estonia, a country located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, is known for its tech-heavy education system. High schools in Estonia use AI-powered tools to track student progress, adjust lesson plans, and predict the extra help that will be needed. The Estonian government says that its goal is to create a more personalized and effective learning experience. Teachers also benefit from automated systems like real-time data suggestions that help them to identify the students’ struggles and help them before it becomes too late. But not exactly everyone is convinced. Officials worry that too much AI in education could weaken the base and make learning feel impersonal.

At Somerville High School, students have mixed feelings about AI in education. Some like the convenience of AI study tools, saying that they help them understand and memorize concepts faster. Others think that AI makes it too easy to cut corners: “Why struggle through a difficult essay when AI can write it for you in seconds?”—SHS 9th grader. Many students said that students need to learn to use AI responsibly rather than learning to rely on it. 

AI is reshaping the education system whether we like it or not, and in ways that it will take us years, if not decades, to understand. Estonia’s incorporation of AI in schools shows the many potential benefits but also raises questions about its risks. While students at Somerville High School on the verge of debate argue that although AI can be incredibly useful, it also comes with challenges that can’t be ignored. In the end, AI is only a tool; how we use it will determine whether it helps or harms the future of education.