Today’s AI tools excel at improving efficiency and supporting everyday work. They generate content, summarize information, organize ideas, and assist with tasks that save time for educators and learners (Rogers & Carbonaro, 2025; UNESCO, 2025).
These applications improve efficiency and reduce workload, allowing educators to focus more time on teaching and supporting learners (Rogers & Carbonaro, 2025). However, helping us work more efficiently isn’t necessarily the same as helping us learn more effectively. This distinction lays the foundation for understanding AILPs.
AILPs differ from traditional AI tools because they are designed to support learning rather than focus on task completion. Instead of only providing answers, they encourage learners to reflect, monitor their thinking, and gradually build independence through guided support (Kim & Baylor, 2006; Fan et al., 2025; Zhou et al., 2025). The infographic below compares traditional AI tools with AILPs.
(Adapted from Kim & Baylor, 2006; Fan et al., 2025; Zhou et al., 2025)