How AI can support learning

AI language models such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude and Google Gemini have long since overtaken search engines. Why continue to laboriously trawl through tens of thousands of results when AI can provide ready-to-use information straight away?

Admittedly, it doesn't always stick strictly to the truth. And yet it makes work so much easier – in everyday life, at work and at school. Even teachers use artificial intelligence as a matter of course.

But as soon as schoolchildren are mentioned, the risks are highlighted: AI would make them less intelligent and less inclined to think for themselves, and would eventually take over their homework. Furthermore, there are fears of emotional dependency, as they might come to regard AI as a trusted confidant.

These concerns are justified – but only if we make the same mistake we did with smartphones and social media and leave our children to their own devices in an educational grey area. Pupils can benefit from artificial intelligence if they are able to use this tool competently and critically. To achieve this, we need to bear a few basic principles in mind.

Nothing works without a prompt

The English term «prompt» means «input». In the context of AI, it refers to the question or task that is put to it. The more precise the wording, the greater the likelihood of a correct answer. But how are children supposed to know how to do this? They need to practise, learn and experiment.

It is often recommended to assign a specific role to the AI in the prompt in order to define the perspective («You are an expert in XY») or the language level («You are a ten-year-old child»). The task is then named, which tells the AI what it needs to do: explain, summarise, inspire  ...

The results produced by AI must always be scrutinised critically and cross-checked against a reliable source.

Context also helps the AI tailor its response to the student's specific needs: Do they need it for homework? An essay? A presentation? In what format should the result be presented? Briefly, in detail, as text or as a table? However, these elements often overlap.

For those who are new to this, here's a handy tip: the student should put their request into words as best they can – and then ask the AI to generate the prompt itself. If the result is satisfactory, these example prompts can be used to learn how to use the AI more effectively in future. To avoid having to enter an endless prompt from scratch every time, it is worth creating a digital note and then adapting it on a case-by-case basis.

The cross-check

Artificial intelligence has been trained using vast amounts of data and also accesses the internet. Nothing has changed compared to a conventional search engine query. The results must always be scrutinised critically and verified against a reliable source. That is why it is advisable to always ask the AI for supporting links.

Perplexity does this automatically and reliably, whereas ChatGPT often provides links that lead nowhere. Furthermore, the AI can make mistakes, fall for fake information or simply make things up. This so-called «hallucinating» is not reliably prevented even if children add «do not hallucinate» to their prompt.

AI cannot think

Another reason why the answers should be checked time and again is the issue of bias. AI is trained using data from people who may harbour certain prejudices: misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia. Unfortunately, this does happen. It is important to keep an eye on such biases.

It is important for children to understand that, in the human sense, AI cannot «understand» or «think», even if it describes itself in those terms. Artificial intelligence calculates probabilities and, to do so, searches through its database in a matter of seconds.

The friendly tone belies the fact that children and teenagers are communicating with a tool. During difficult phases such as puberty, AI can quickly become a supposed friend whom they ask literally anything. That is understandable.

This makes it all the more important to be mindful of data protection. In this context, this always refers to the protection of the individual. Consequently, you should not enter any personal data or photos, as everything is fed into the relevant databases and no one knows exactly how or whether it will be used. A tool that adopts a chummy tone remains just a tool – it is not a friend.

The possibilities of AI

With these principles in mind, AI offers pupils a wide range of options to simplify their day-to-day learning. Here are a few examples:

Reference work: AI is an unbeatable encyclopaedia. Unlike Wikipedia, the complexity of the definitions can be tailored to the student's age and level. Students are also free to ask for clarification whenever they need to: «I haven't quite understood that yet.» It's always worth probing further, by the way: «Was that really all there is to it? Is there anything else on the subject?» In most cases, the AI will then provide further useful insights.

AI is a useful partner, provided we know how to use it wisely and critically and can recognise its limitations.

Tutor: There are pupils who struggle with maths, for example, and who often find the pace of lessons too fast. In such cases, AI can explain the relevant topic again step by step – patiently, in detail and creatively too. How many cows does a farmer need to milk to get 3,000 litres if one cow gives 20 litres? It would be more motivating to set the same problem in a context that children are more familiar with – for example, using Brawl Stars, Fortnite or a pony farm. That helps.

Sparring partner: When it comes to brainstorming, outlining or structuring ideas, AI provides useful suggestions that students can compare with and build upon their own thoughts. Pros and cons questions are also helpful when developing a viewpoint on a topic. Thinking for oneself remains essential.

AI isn't going to disappear again

Trainer: To prepare for a task, you can practise using AI and develop a study plan. But there's more: AI also creates flashcards, turns the learning material into quiz or exam questions, and formats the whole thing in Word or PowerPoint. You can even practise foreign languages, engage in dialogues, and much more.

Artificial intelligence is not a passing fad or something that will disappear. It is a useful partner, provided we know how to use it wisely and critically and can recognise its limitations. Furthermore, AI is not the only option in children's everyday learning. As ever, learning is most effective when it combines digital and analogue materials.