In classrooms and homes across Delhi, more and more students are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other educational platforms to help them with their studies. From summarising long chapters to writing essays and even solving maths problems, these tools are becoming everyday companions for school and college students. But while they offer speed and convenience, there’s growing concern among teachers and parents that too much reliance on AI might affect genuine learning, creativity, and thinking skills.
I wanted to write about this because I’ve seen how students around me are quickly adopting AI in their daily academic routine. There’s no doubt that AI can help reduce pressure and save time, especially when students are juggling tuition, school, and entrance prep. But the bigger question is — are we sacrificing understanding for shortcuts? As someone who values the long-term impact of education, I believe this is a discussion worth having. Students need to know where to draw the line. And educators must step up to guide them in balancing the use of AI without becoming too dependent on it.
How Students Are Using AI in Their Studies
AI tools are becoming part of study routines in schools, coaching centres, and even university campuses. Students use them for a variety of tasks like:
- Summarising NCERT chapters or reference books
- Drafting answers for assignments and homework
- Solving complex numerical problems
- Creating presentations and projects
- Preparing for competitive exams using AI mock tests and doubt solvers
Platforms like ChatGPT are especially popular for generating essay content, creating quick notes, and even translating difficult English texts into simpler explanations. Apps like Brainly, Socratic, and Quillbot are also widely used for grammar correction and writing suggestions.
The Flip Side of Smart Studying
While all this may sound like a smart way of studying, many educators feel students are skipping the actual learning part. Teachers from Delhi government schools and private institutions have noticed that students are submitting work that doesn’t match their speaking or thinking level.
Here’s what some of the concerns are:
- Students are copying AI-generated content without reading or understanding it
- Written assignments often lack originality and personal touch
- Overuse of AI is making students less confident in writing or thinking independently
- Memory-based learning and deep understanding are taking a backseat
One teacher from a CBSE school in North Delhi said, “I had a student submit an answer about environmental issues using terms like ‘anthropogenic climate imbalance’. This is not the language of a Class 9 student.”
Are We Creating a Dependency?
AI is not the problem — how we use it is. What started as a support tool is slowly becoming a crutch. Students no longer feel the need to read the textbook or even attend extra classes because they believe AI can give them the answers. This creates a false sense of confidence.
Moreover, students are missing out on the practice that helps build retention, expression, and critical analysis. These skills cannot be learned by simply copying and pasting answers from an app. They come with repeated effort, mistakes, and revisions — things that AI shortcuts often skip.
What Can Be Done
The solution is not to ban AI tools but to teach students how to use them wisely. Schools and colleges in Delhi can consider these steps:
- Conduct workshops on ethical and effective use of AI
- Teachers should give more oral and application-based assessments
- Encourage handwritten submissions and group discussions
- Educators can even integrate AI into teaching but with guided instruction
It’s also important for parents to be aware of how much their children are relying on these tools. Sitting with them while they do homework, or asking questions from AI-generated answers, can help ensure learning is not lost.
