Using Artificial Intelligence as a Tool, Not a Replacement

As we all know, AI is here to stay. Whether it’s ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude or Gemini, AI tools have found their way into high schools.

While using AI as a tool has many advantages, especially in writing, the tools help make writing much easier and quicker; they do not come without pitfalls. One of the most common pitfalls when using AI is allowing it to write an entire paper without checking for grammatical errors or sentences unrelated to the context. Another common error is not checking the facts in what AI has produced.

How does one ensure not to fall victim to the many pitfalls of using AI? Below are some tools that can assist with avoiding the common mistakes made when using AI as a tool.

1. Not all AI tools are the same.

• With various versions of AI, you must be mindful of the task that you are giving it, to ensure that you use the right AI tool. Some AI tools have specialties, so knowing which specialty the AI tool focuses on will help you complete a more accurate task.

2. When writing, start with a draft.

• Begin by putting your own thoughts on paper, adjusting and then using AI. This will ensure that what you are writing has a natural tone.

3. If you choose to use AI without first providing a draft, be sure to add the human side to the writing.

• Because AI is not human, it provides straightforward writing with no emotion. After checking the draft for accuracy, add a little of yourself to the draft to make the writing more creative.

4. Fact-check when asking AI to assist with statistics, news or trends.

• Be sure to check the facts that AI has provided. Keep in mind the information AI is retrieving comes from the internet, so you want to ensure that what is being pulled is the most up to date.

5. Always check behind AI when asking for assistance, especially when writing to keep the integrity of your thoughts.

• There are cases where AI makes changes to your thoughts, so it is important that you read all changes to ensure that your thoughts are not changed.

6. Be mindful of the information you put in AI, as not all AI is secure.

• As with anything shared on the internet, sensitive data can get in the wrong hands, especially with the free version.

In summary, AI is a tool that is here to stay, and we all will more than likely use it at one time or another. The key to using AI is to use it as a tool, not a replacement for whatever the task. When a person uses AI as a replacement, it can cause unforeseen mistakes, including switching up one’s thoughts or providing inaccurate data.

Always remember, AI is not human and uses search engines to determine what it sends to you.

Romanda Noble-Watson is director of communications and public relations for the South Carolina High School League. She is a member of the High School Today Publications Committee. She can be reached at romanda@schsl.org.