AI Homework: Helping vs Cheating

Short answer

AI use crosses from helping toward cheating when it replaces work the student was expected to do independently or violates the teacher’s rules.

Usually helpful

• asking for a simpler explanation
• requesting practice questions
• checking grammar after writing
• brainstorming possible angles
• asking for feedback on reasoning

Often problematic

• generating the final answer
• writing an essay the student submits
• solving a take-home assessment meant to be independent
• using AI where the teacher explicitly prohibited it
• hiding AI use when disclosure is required

Three tests

Ownership

Can the student explain every important part of what was submitted?

Teacher rule

Was this kind of AI use permitted?

Thinking

Did AI support the student's thinking or replace it?

A useful family policy:

“AI can help you understand, practice and review. It cannot secretly do the assignment for you.”

Sources

• Common Sense Media — Teens in the AI Era
  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/teens-in-the-ai-era-schoolwork-and-skills-that-matter