School Meets AI: A Word from the Students

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CC-BY, provided by author (the image is AI-generated)

No formal debate, no panel of experts — just an ordinary classroom on an ordinary morning at a European secondary school. During a civic education lesson, the teacher introduces a topic that is quickly becoming impossible to ignore: artificial intelligence.

No surveys needed. Just real voices, real experiences. A group of teenagers open up about how AI has already become part of their school life, sometimes subtly, sometimes forcefully. What emerges is a surprisingly mature and thoughtful perspective, blending enthusiasm with caution and a strong sense of responsibility.

The following are statements from students (aged 16-18) in relation to this discussion:

• “Yes, I use it mostly to summarise texts or to clarify things I didn’t quite get in class. Sometimes, ChatGPT explains stuff better than the textbook. But you have to ask it the right way, otherwise it gives you half-baked answers.”
• “I use it for quick translations or rephrasing things in better English. It’s handy, but I don’t fully trust it. Once, I copied an AI-generated answer word for word, and my teacher caught it immediately; it sounded way too polished to be mine.”
• “I think AI can make learning more personalised. If you’re struggling, you can practise at home with a virtual tutor that never gets tired. It could be a huge help for students with learning difficulties, too, if used right.”
• “Honestly, I think that teachers could use it as well for grading, making quizzes and preparing lessons. It would save time for actual teaching, instead of paperwork.”
• “Of course, some people just use it to cheat, but the deeper problem is that it can make you stop trying. If you always get ready-made answers, you stop learning how to think.”
• “Exactly. And you risk losing your critical sense. Just because a machine says something, doesn’t mean it’s true. Human mistakes can sometimes teach you more than perfect answers.”

The teacher then asked: “So… would you want AI officially integrated into schools?”

(They look at each other, smile and pause.)

• “Yes, but with clear rules. Like calculators: useful, but not for every test. Maybe there should be something like an ‘AI licence’, to make sure we know how to use it responsibly.”
• “And we definitely need digital citizenship lessons. It’s not just about what tools you use, but how and when you use them.”

For today’s digital-native generation, AI isn’t science fiction; it’s daily life. The real challenge isn’t whether to allow it in schools, but how to teach students (and teachers) to use it wisely. Maybe the real issue isn’t artificial intelligence itself, it’s making sure we keep nurturing the human kind.

About the author

Stefania Altieri is an Italian teacher, currently working at the Italian Ministry of Education. As a Scientix Ambassador, she is committed to the vital role teachers play in guiding new generations towards a more responsible and promising future.

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