As the current cohort of students journey through secondary school and university, they are at the forefront of a major technological shift.

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They're not only navigating challenges like the social media ban, but are also the first generation to experience AI in a learning environment on this scale.

As the debates around AI's place in education intensify, a consistent assumption emerges: if students have access to AI, they'll misuse it. Well, as with many things in life, the reality is far less sensational of a headline.

Let's not be naive. Unfortunately, some people will exploit, manipulate, or use it as a shortcut. However, that does not make it the norm.

The vast majority of students are eager to learn and succeed. They know they need to learn AI, but are looking for clear guidance on what is ethical, supportive use that enhances their work without becoming misuse or overreliance.

AI is becoming a common part of the learning process. From brainstorming ideas and structuring arguments to checking grammar, AI tools can be powerful supports when used correctly.

Yet, there seems to be a lingering belief among students that similarity checkers and AI and process transparency tools exist purely to penalise students. This misses the point at best. At worst, it puts up roadblocks to embracing a technology that can potentially have an enormously positive impact on the learning experience. Used well, these tools can also shed light on how work takes shape over time, not just what is submitted at the end.

Students have to reevaluate their perspectives and come around to seeing these tools as the valuable educational aids they are.

These systems aren't designed to punish students. They're designed to protect authentic learning. The purpose of education isn't solely about submitting assignments and passing tests. It's about developing critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and ethical decision-making skills.

Misusing AI may seem like a shortcut, but in reality, it can create long-term consequences.

When AI replaces thinking, students risk graduating without the skills and capabilities employers expect and value.

Over-reliance can weaken writing ability, limit original thinking, and reduce intellectual confidence. More importantly, it can undermine trust - an essential quality in every profession.

Educators and institutions are not trying to stop innovation. They want to ensure learning remains authentic, and that students' voices, reasoning, and efforts remain central to their work.

Students aren't convinced

There is optimism in academia about AI's potential. But it is important to address the concerns of those it's impacting most: students.

Surprisingly, many students are leading the charge of AI scepticism.

A Turnitin survey exploring AI and education revealed that 64 per cent of students were worried about AI use within education, outpacing educators at 50 per cent and academic administrators at 41 per cent. There is a clear disconnect in how AI is perceived. Students fear misuse, lack of preparedness, and limited transparency will negatively affect their learning as institutions and educators navigate the adoption of AI.

The survey further revealed 78 per cent of all participants felt positive about the impacts AI has on education, yet 67 per cent of students felt they were shortcutting their learning by using AI.

Despite these reservations, AI adoption and use remains high among students, with 70 per cent using AI at least occasionally for their assignments. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean they're deriving what is needed for success from these tools, as 50 per cent reported they didn't know how to get the most value from AI in their studies.

The only way for these concerns to subside is for students to understand AI, which itself will only come from learning to use it safely and with guidelines in the classroom.

A desire to understand

Every educational institute has set academic rules - decided internally, by the school's governing body, or the state.

For students, the safest path to navigating AI use is simple: be transparent.

Students need to ask educators about their AI guidelines, and answers should be straightforward, providing clarity on permitted use. This includes brainstorming ideas and developing outlines, researching a topic, critiquing an argument, offering grammatical and stylistic suggestions, and preparing practice questions to build confidence.

Many educators will even tell students to treat AI like a "study buddy" or tutor that can explain complex topics in simpler terms.

However, this transparency must run both ways.

Educators should clearly communicate expectations, model responsible use, explain reasoning behind guidelines, and maintain ongoing dialogue. Students must be open to declaring they've used AI in part of their work, much like a citation or appendix.

This practice helps limit many of the common mistakes being made, like copy-pasting AI-generated text or relying on AI as the sole source of information. It also helps prevent more egregious acts, like using AI to fabricate references or using an AI bypasser to skirt the system.

The main goal is to create a space for students to explore AI safely and transparently.

Students are not shying away from AI, but understandably have reservations. They're demanding clear guidelines around ethical and responsible use, direction on when and where to use it, and what tools are actually beneficial.

And that's the key for AI in education. Transparency will dispel many fears surrounding AI and allow students to develop into the AI literate workforce employers require. Which is, after all, at the heart of what education aims to do.

James Thorley is regional vice president at Turnitin.

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