Inspire AI: Transforming RVA Through Technology and Automation
Our mission is to cultivate AI literacy in the Greater Richmond Region through awareness, community engagement, education, and advocacy. In this podcast, we spotlight companies and individuals in the region who are pioneering the development and use of AI.
Inspire AI: Transforming RVA Through Technology and Automation
Ep 39 - Learning With AI, Not From It: A Guide for Students in the Digital Age
Are students cheating with ChatGPT, or are they mastering a crucial skill for their future? Let's dive into this heated debate with clarity and practical guidance.
The rapid integration of AI tools in education has sparked enormous concern among parents and educators. But focusing solely on potential misuse blinds us to the remarkable learning opportunities these technologies offer when approached responsibly. Today's episode cuts through the noise to explore how students at any level can leverage AI to enhance their education without compromising their learning journey.
We explore the golden rule that both UK and US education departments emphasize: AI should support learning, not replace thinking. For writing assignments, discover the "draft first, AI second" approach that transforms AI from a plagiarism risk into a valuable writing coach. With math and science, learn how tools like Photomath can function as 24/7 tutors rather than homework shortcuts. We also address critical considerations around privacy, school policies, and the ethical dimensions of AI use.
Perhaps most importantly, we examine how these same principles extend beyond the classroom into professional environments. The students who master responsible AI use today are developing the exact skills employers will demand tomorrow. With AI literacy now declared a national priority through recent executive action, the message is clear: learning to work alongside AI isn't optional—it's becoming as fundamental as reading and mathematics.
Whether you're a student navigating these new tools, a parent guiding digital choices, or an educator designing future-ready assignments, this episode provides the framework you need. Share it with a student in your life and start a conversation today about how AI can enhance rather than shortcut their educational journey.
Want to join a community of AI learners and enthusiasts? AI Ready RVA is leading the conversation and is rapidly rising as a hub for AI in the Richmond Region. Become a member and support our AI literacy initiatives.
Welcome back to Inspire AI, the podcast where we explore how technology is reshaping our world and how we can reshape ourselves to thrive in it. I'm your host, jason McGinty, in today's episode of Inspire AI. We're geared enough to go back to school, and so a topic on every parent's, teacher's and student's mind is AI in education. Because, let's be honest, when students start using tools like ChatGPT or Photomath, the first question people ask isn't is this helping them learn? Rather, it's are they just cheating with it? So today we're cutting through the noise. We're going to explore the smart, responsible and future-ready ways that students, whether in elementary school, high school or college, can use AI to enhance their learning, not replace it. So let's get started. Ai is everywhere now, especially in schools. From writing essays to solving equations, to explaining photosynthesis, ai tools are starting to show up in both the classroom and the homework time. But there's a golden rule we all need to keep in mind AI is a tool, not a replacement for your teacher, not a shortcut, and definitely should not be used to substitute thinking. Educators in both US and UK are making that crystal clear. In fact, the UK's Department of Education recently said AI must always remain teacher-led. Recently said AI must always remain teacher-led. That means AI should support what the student is doing and not do it for them. Same in the US, the Department of Education has called for critical, responsible use of AI. That means students should be learning with AI, not just copying from it.
Speaker 1:When people get learning with AI, not just copying from it. When people get started with AI, they recognize it as a great tool for writing. It should be used as a tool for brainstorming, not plagiarizing. Ai tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly can help students come up with ideas, fix grammar and even clarify their arguments. That's awesome. In fact, it's like having a writing coach on standby when we use these tools. We should use AI to brainstorm ideas. We should use it to get feedback on a rough draft. We should even use it to tighten up our sloppy sentences. On the flip side, we should not be using it to write our entire paper. We should not be using it to submit a paragraph we didn't understand, and we should not be using it in those shadow cases where our teachers did not provide us permission.
Speaker 1:So what do we take away here? How about a new habit? Draft first, ai second. That's how students actually grow. All right, moving on, let's talk numbers.
Speaker 1:Tools like Photomath, wolfram, microsoft Math Solver are blowing students' minds with step-by-step explanations and instant solutions. And guess what? That's not cheating if you're using them right. Here's the recommendation Solve the problem yourself first, then use AI to check your steps and, when in doubt, ask the AI why it solved it in a certain way. This is like having a tutor in your back pocket. But don't abuse the tutor. Same goes for science. Ai can break down complex concepts like DNA replication or Newton's laws. It can quiz you before a test, it can simulate an experiment, but it's your brain that has to connect the dots. Again, think of AI like a tutor, not a magic wand. All right, let's step outside the classroom for a minute, where AI gives students access to 24-7 study support. You could say students can say help me understand this chemistry formula, give me five practice problems on solving quadratics, or even act like a debate opponent and challenge my essay. These are incredible use cases and they certainly build independence.
Speaker 1:But here's the test when you submit your work, would you feel good telling your teacher exactly how you used AI? If yes, great job. If no, it's probably a misuse. I want to also make sure we talk about safety, privacy and policies. So here's a few crucial reminders Don't share personal info with AI tools no names, no school details, no sensitive information about yourself. Always follow the school's policy. If the assignment says no AI, don't risk it. And, of course, fact check your answers.
Speaker 1:Ai is helpful but not perfect. You do not want to submit something that you didn't understand and it certainly wasn't correct. You didn't understand and it certainly wasn't correct. And remember teachers can tell when something sounds too polished or off-topic. Using AI to shortcut your work isn't just unethical, it's a missed opportunity to think, for yourself, to grow. You know, as I roll through these principles, these concepts, I know for a fact that these ideas also should be encouraged in the workplace. So before we wrap up, I want to zoom out for a moment From classroom to conference room.
Speaker 1:I think about these principles and how they apply to work too, because everything we just covered about AI responsibility as a student it also applies as much in the workplace. Think about it. Ai should support your thinking, not replace it. Whether you're writing a client proposal, crunching numbers or researching a new market, ai can speed up your workflow, but your judgment, context and creativity still matter most. Transparency is key, just like students need to disclose how they use AI in schoolwork, professionals should be open to using AI in reports, coding or content creation, especially when accuracy and trust are on the line. Privacy and security also matter in both school and work. You should never paste sensitive information into public AI tools Names, customer data, company strategies keep those protected. And finally, ai is a partner those protected. And finally, ai is a partner, not a pass.
Speaker 1:Whether you're a 10th grader or a team lead, the goal is the same Grow your skills, sharpen your thinking and use AI to accelerate, not avoid, the hard work. So if you're teaching these principles to students now, congrats. You're also preparing them to be thoughtful, ethical, future-ready professionals. And here's the truth Students who learn how to use AI responsibly are going to have a serious edge. They'll write better, they'll solve faster, they'll understand deeper, not because AI is doing the work for them, but because they're learning how to partner with it, and that's what future-proofing is all about. So, whether you're a student listening in, or a parent or an educator, help foster AI literacy, not AI dependency. We all must work to raise a generation of learners who are curious, ethical and ready for the world ahead and speaking of future ready.
Speaker 1:Just this year, the US federal government made AI literacy a national priority AI literacy in national priority. A new executive order is pushing for AI education across all K-12 schools, calling for teacher training, student apprenticeships and AI curriculum integration. Why? Because leaders like Alex Kotran from Columbia University are sounding the alarm Quote. Ai literacy is no longer optional. It's a must-have skill, right up there with reading and math.
Speaker 1:So what does that mean for students? It means that learning to use AI responsibly, ethically and skillfully is no longer a side quest. It's becoming part of what it means to be educated in 2025 and beyond. And the great news, if you're listening to this podcast, you're already taking the first steps. So thanks for joining me on Inspire AI. If you found this episode useful, share it with a student or, better yet, talk about it with one. Ask them how they use AI, what excites them and where they could use additional support. And stay tuned. We've got more future-ready conversations coming your way. Got more future ready conversations coming your way. Until next time, stay curious, stay responsible and keep building a better tomorrow.
