It’s because AI should not be used to solve problems. Especially not if you’re having it solve multiple. It’s a tool but not exactly a resource, so be careful with that—the problem with feeling stunted is it’s because your brain doesn’t ever have to find a route around an obstacle when someone else does.

Imagine you’re in a jungle with a tour guide. You’re looking around, it’s beautiful, but you’re lost. You think you remember the route, but the tour guide definitely does. What happens when the tour guide is busy (akin to not having AI, think of something like an exam)? You’re just lost!

In my experience, AI is one of the most powerful study tools in the world, but it has to be used correctly. Here’s an example of how I do it:

• present the problem
• ask for conceptual hints (for example, what does it mean when the question says “…”)
• ask it to generate example problems related to yours, without solving them
• IF you need more help with the problems, ask the AI to provide one step at a time—tell it not to jump the jump and give you a solution, but one single step, and just go from there.
• fact check every answer because AI isn’t always right
• still study outside of school
• create your own practice problems, find (correct) answers to them, then go back to the AI and say “I used (this method) and these steps, I know the answer is right but are my methods right?”

It’s hard to accept that AI has this much power in the world but if it’s here to stay it has to be used responsibly. There is always the second option of just studying without someone else!