AI: Tool, Teammate, or Trap?

AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Character.ai are becoming part of everyday life for teens, and not just for fun. More than half of teens use them for schoolwork and research, while others use them to create content, summarize information, or even get advice.

Here’s the interesting part: most teens think AI will have a positive impact on their own lives, but they’re more unsure (and even skeptical) about its impact on society. At the same time, many believe AI is making cheating more common in schools, and some worry about overreliance or losing important skills like critical thinking.

So… is AI helping you level up, or making things too easy?

Your Task: How Do You Use AI?
Take a minute to reflect on your own experience with AI tools.

Step 1: Your Reality
Think about the last time you used AI (or imagine how you might use it):
- What did you use it for? (Homework help, brainstorming, fun, advice, etc.)
- Did it actually help you understand something better—or just give you the answer?

Step 2: The Trade-Off
AI can be powerful, but it comes with choices.
- When does using AI feel like learning… and when does it feel like cheating?
- What’s one way AI could hurt your learning if you rely on it too much?

Step 3: Your AI Rules
Create your own 2–3 “rules” for using AI responsibly in school.
Examples:
- “I’ll use AI to explain things, not just give answers.”
- “I’ll double-check anything AI tells me.”
- “I’ll try it myself first before asking AI.”

This Skillbuilder is part of Mental Health Awareness Month.