Is AI Making School Too Competitive?

With the influx of technology and AI use, there is a prominent question that peers through: is AI making school too competitive? Technologies like: ChatGPT, Gemini, or even online translators such as Google translate or Reverso make student lives easier by a mile. 

Sometimes when stuck on a question or hard topic, the words on many students' search bars are “ChatGPT.” Even in French when not aware of the gender of a “washing machine", it's oftentimes easier to search the word up on Google Translate rather than going through dictionaries so thick they can double as a doorstep. 

However, as much as these platforms can help students, they also come with their own set of drawbacks. Problems like increased expectations from teachers, pressure to excel and burnout arise making the usage of technology in work a double edged sword. 

For example when presented with A-level work, doubt can arise within teachers making them think that the work done had heavy AI influence. This skepticism can lead to teachers making coursework and tests higher in terms of difficulty in order to ensure authenticity and originality. As a result students who are inexperienced in the subject but use AI as a leverage can struggle even more, causing more reliance on the technology.  

Moreover, this reliance on technology can also cause a pressure to excel on individuals and subsequently lead to burnout. Students who often use short cuts or rely on them for help might start to question their own abilities. Worrying about whether their work is considered “real” or not. Over time this constant worrying can cause an endless cycle of self-doubt, eroding confidence and creating emotional stress. Combining the pressure to excel with burnout can push students to overwork themselves. The urge to go above and beyond what's really required and necessary.This relentless drive can cause individuals to burnout and lead to exhaustion over coursework. 

It is quite clear that AI is a strong tool that at times can be extremely helpful and needed. However, the sudden increased use of AI  can lead to  heightened competition, putting more stress on students. To ensure that AI does not have a negative impact on individuals, it is important for schools to focus on a balanced environment where there is not a negative stigma surrounding AI use. It is possible to help students without the excessive use of loopholes and technology. 

So is AI making school more competitive? The answer lies in individual perspective and how AI use is viewed. Whether it's making school more competitive or even easier, it is still important to note how to use it properly without impacting or affecting your own well being.