It’s 11 pm, you have a massive stack of notes to review, but you’re paralyzed by the thought of starting your paper. Your first instinct might be, let AI do it. Here’s the truth: there are only a few keystrokes between AI as a powerful academic tool and grounds for academic misconduct.

The key isn’t letting AI do the work for you, but working with it. Leverage it to enhance your skills, streamline your process, and make your studying more efficient. The idea that we can just copy-paste our way to a passing grade is exactly why AI has such a bad reputation in school, and a waste of a six-digit tuition fee, I might add.

This article explores the use of AI as a study partner that never gets tired and has convenient access to a vast amount of information. Let’s transition from passively completing our schoolwork to actively utilizing the resources at our disposal.

You’re probably thinking: Is there even a difference? When AI tools started booming, I was the biggest hater, but then I realized I could use them effectively. The secret wasn’t about relying on it; it was about using it to spark my neurons. Think of it like this: AI can help you navigate, but you’re still the one flying the plane. With that in mind, here are the three rules I live by now.

It’s just like brainstorming with a classmate. You bounce ideas off of each other, build on them, and before you know it, you have something much stronger than the starter idea you had. That is how you work with AI. You give it an idea, and it gives you a starting point. Then, you take that outline or summary, mold and correct it, and make it your own. This is a game-changer for writer’s block or tackling heavy projects. You’re no longer starting from zero, and best of all, you’re doing the work.

This is the most important rule. AI models even give a disclaimer that they may provide inaccurate data. It’s reminding you not to take everything at face value. AI models tend to “hallucinate,” and if you’re not paying attention, you’ll be turning in fake information, citations, and statistics. If you have a brilliant idea for a paper, take time to build it. You would never submit a paper based on a single resource without checking it, right? Submitting false information can have serious consequences, including disciplinary action or academic penalties. Always verify its claims with credible sources. Let AI find the lead, but do the legwork to confirm it.

Before you use AI tools for a major assignment, spend some time reading up on your school’s policy. Every school has its own rules on academic integrity, and some are more lenient than others.

In one of my college classes, our World History professor had us take a significant historical event and use AI to reimagine it. I wrote about the hypothetical ascendancy of Leon Trotsky over Joseph Stalin in early 20th-century Russia. The next step was thinking of impactful alternative scenarios and running those through an AI model. Our prompts had to be smart and well-formulated. I had several AI models analyze the economic, political, and social consequences of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. I had to criticize the historical plausibility of the alternate scenarios. This was one of my favorite projects, and it showcased how we can use AI to turn students into critical thinkers.

If you’re unsure about your school’s policy on AI use, ask your professor. A quick email can save you a lot of trouble.

By following these rules, you’re developing a new skill set that’s going to be essential for your academic journey and future career. The digital age may have introduced a set of challenges for students, but it has also introduced a lot of opportunities. Treat AI models and platforms not as a substitute for your own intellect, but rather as an extension of it.