By Manan, Grade 10
So what are my experiences with AI and how has it helped me? Honestly, it’s become a pretty integral part of my brainstorming process.
EssayGPT
For example, for English essays, we have to compile the quotes, analysis, and the thesis in a template. In general, AI helps me make my writing more cohesive and professional, and asking it to grade my essay according to an entered rubric is quite helpful. Another major use point for me was preparation for my English final on Shakespearean sonnets, where ChatGPT and other models helped me not only understand Shakespeare and the elements of poetry but also were able to find Shakespearean sonnet for me to practice without me having to go to online libraries and manually find them (Fun fact: one of the sonnets GPT gave me to practice actually came on the final exam!). Also, in particularly difficult passages or when I’m having a brain fart, AI helps steer me on the right path by providing specific suggestions that I use as a launchpad for my own ideas.
Organizing my AIs
I also use multiple channels on AI platforms for different subjects: I have a channel for Chemistry, History, Math, English, etc. which helps the AI to adjust to my questions. I can safely put all of my chem homework and coursework questions in the first channel, so when exam time comes around, I can just ask the AI to give me practice questions based on previous discussions. It already knows my level and knows what areas to target without needing me to upload/copypaste a bunch of material.
One of my favorite features (although a bit wonky right now) is the “upload” option, like ChatGPT has. I remembered on my World History final last year, I just uploaded a pdf of the study guide and slides and just asked it to give me multiple-choice questions for studying. AI practice tests help build active recall study techniques; and so while my friends were filling out the study guide from their notes, I was getting hard MCQs from AIs that had the study material. You better believe I got an A on that exam!
As the ultimate librarian
I don’t just use AI for academic purposes. I find it very useful for my debate research as well (post coming soon!). Instead of using AI as a virtual teacher, I use it as an intelligent librarian with the library for the whole internet at its disposal. For example, the January Public Forum debate topic is whether the African Union should recognize Somaliland as a sovereign nation. Before this, I had very little background knowledge and couldn’t begin formulating a case until I had some. Instead of getting lost on google in sketchy articles, I just copypasted the debate topic and brief to AI and let it develop a comprehensive review for me depending on current events: I learnt about the Ethiopia-Egypt scandal, the MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland, and Somalian pirates! Indeed, after I’ve formed my case as well, I can ask it to judge it based on whether the judge is a layman or an experienced debater—this is a much more sustainable, near infinite source to bounce ideas off of then people like parents, friends, or siblings as they might be busy.
Tool, Drug, and Helicopter
All in all, I’ve come to appreciate AI as a useful tool to help me become the best student I can possibly be. It isn’t a friend or an aide: it’s a tool, a very effective tool, that when used correctly, can quadruple your efficiency and accuracy. Although pessimists would cite the pitfalls of overreliancy in using AI, I would argue that practices like asking AI for practice tests and helping understanding material builds self-reliance and helps students adjust to the nature of having to understand things themselves that makes them more confident in their capabilities.
Initially, AI was like a new drug: there were the addicts and misusers versus the anti-vaxxers. I don’t think either is right: I want to use it as a MEDICINAL drug. use it when it’s helpful, helpful to YOU. However, it’s not a whole new person: it simply keeps you going and speeds up the recovery process. You can take it as many times as you want, but in the end, it’s what you do in life that influence how you use it, not IT destroying YOUR life.
Think of it this way: imagine your task (assignment, project, exam) is likened to going from point A to point B. Traditional work would be represented by a squiggly, handwritten line that goes all over the page before reaching point B. Using AI is like having a helicopter that flies you in the direction of B. Because AI isn’t perfect (yet…), you will still have to do your own work: but better to use a helicopter to cross the Rockies then walk on foot.
Now, a hard task doesn’t give me that sinking feeling in my stomach: instead, the excitement rushes through me as I know that I’ve securitized myself using AI. Forget quality over quantity: here comes quality AND quantity!
While juggling the question of what role AI plays in my student life, I’ve come to many conclusions, and I’m still not sure what it is: all I know is that it has helped me tremendously.
One thing we can’t ChatGPT: The Future
But we can only speculate what this technological marvel will bring in the next 10 years. The true potential of AI has yet to be seen. It’s a developing field and whoever can unlock it’s power will be very successful with it. For now though, remember to use it intelligently and not allow it to damage your learning. Ask it questions, upload files, and play around! There’s no harm in exploring and pushing the boundaries of AI. Heck, I enjoy messing with its “no political answers” OpenAI tried to lock it with (check out youtube videos that do this: funny ones include videos where someone tries to outsmart it/concede the existence of god).
One thing that both sides of the bell curve can agree with regarding AI can be summarized in a funny Hindi proverb: नकल् में अकल्; “nuh-kul mein uh-kul”; “intelligence in copying”
Perhaps the new lunar year shouldn’t be the Year of the Snake: Rather, 2025 shall be the Year of Artificial Intelligence.
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