AI in Schools: What Students Are Actually Doing (and What Comes Next)

Schools are actively debating how to respond to AI—but much of that conversation is happening without a clear view of how students are actually using it day-to-day.

As a current high school student, I’ll bring a ground-level perspective on how AI is really showing up in classrooms: how often it’s used, what it’s used for, and how students themselves think about it.

Right now, AI is often framed as a problem to control. In practice, that control is limited. AI tools are widely accessible, constantly improving, and already part of many students’ daily routines—whether for studying, completing assignments, or, in some cases, bypassing the work entirely. At the same time, every student is being exposed to AI in some form, regardless of school policies.

In this session, I’ll break down the most common ways students are using AI today—from legitimate learning support to clear academic dishonesty—and explore the gray areas in between, where expectations are often unclear. I’ll also share how students themselves view these boundaries, and where there’s a disconnect between student norms and school rules.

Looking ahead, I’ll discuss the potential long-term impacts of this level of AI reliance—both the opportunities and the risks for skill development, learning habits, and equity.

Finally, I’ll offer a student-informed perspective on what effective AI policies could look like: not just how to reduce misuse, but how schools can realistically adapt and help students use AI as a tool for learning rather than a shortcut around it.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what is actually happening in schools today, where current approaches fall short, and practical ways to think about AI policy moving forward.

• All levels
• AI/ML