Does AI belong in schools?
As we head into 2026, consumer AI use is still booming, and it’s use in education has created both issues and opportunities. This begs the question: does AI belong in schools?
According to a College Board report from October, it’s estimated that 84% of students used AI to some extent in school between January and May 2025, a 5% increase from last year.
Students will always have access to generative AI (GenAI) tools, even if they’re restricted on school devices. If a student can’t plug their homework into ChatGPT on their school-owned laptop, they could simply upload it on their phone instead.
To that end, banning students from using AI altogether by blocking its access is an impossible task, but working with AI is a far stronger and more implementable approach.
If official policies are in place outlining specifically how students can use AI for coursework, with clear guidelines on what is and isn’t considered acceptable, students are arguably far more likely to use AI in a positive and ethical way.
Additionally, GenAI holds immeasurable potential as a major supplement to youth’s education, rather than simply a barricade. Tools like Copilot and ChatGPT can help students brainstorm and revise writing, as well as create practice problems and study guides.
With many students unable to pay for a private tutor, GenAI can act as a free, 24/7 personalized tutor for students, breaking down complex problems and explaining them in simple terms. Struggling with a homework problem at midnight when it’s due tomorrow? Spare your teacher an extension request and ask Copilot for an explanation.
The opportunities to amplify education through AI are endless. However, enhanced learning is not the only benefit of integrating AI in schools
AI’s use in the workplace is expanding. An October 2025 report from the Pew Research Center noted about 20% of all workers in the US use AI in their jobs.
Integration of AI into schools can help youth build strong proficiency with AI tools to better prepare them for using it in the workforce. Even without official AI literacy programs, the mere permittance of AI in schools helps foster better competence and understanding of using AI effectively.
When generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT first became publicly available, most schools opted to completely restrict their usage. However, as AI progressed, so did schools’ openness to them.
About 2/5 school districts have policies explicitly allowing students to use GenAI in schoolwork, and 1/5 permit it but without an official policy in place.
Such reflects how schools are moving from fear to practical adoption when it comes to AI—from “How can we stop students from cheating with AI?” to “How can we help them use it responsibly?”
As AI evolves more and more each day, one thing remains clear: AI will be a major part of our future, and it’s here to stay. Thus, the best way to prepare youth for that future is to foster their understanding and effective use of AI, beginning in schools.
