AI in schools: How students and teachers can save time

AI has quickly become one of the most powerful tools for both students and teachers. By simplifying studies, customizing teaching, and offering new ways to learn, artificial intelligence can make the school more efficient, personal, and inspiring. But how is AI concretely used in education, and how can both students and teachers maximize the benefits of the technology?

In this guide, we go through the five key areas where AI is transforming schoolwork, providing practical examples of how the tools are used today, and showing how both students and teachers can save time while making learning better.

1. Personal study help: Your own AI tutor

One of the biggest advantages of AI in school is the possibility of personalized study help. Traditionally, students have been dependent on teachers who have 25-30 students to take care of at the same time, making individual attention limited. AI is changing this.

How AI works as a study assistant

AI-based platforms can:

• Explain difficult concepts in several different ways until the student understands

• Adjust the difficulty level based on the student's level of knowledge

• Provide endless practice tasks tailored for each student

• Identify knowledge gaps and focus on what needs further practice

• Answer questions anytime – no one needs to wait until the next lesson

Practical examples

Mathematics:
A student struggling with equations can ask AI: "Can you explain how to solve 2x + 5 = 15?"

AI not only provides the answer but shows step-by-step:

1. Subtract 5 from both sides: 2x = 10

2. Divide both sides by 2: x = 5

3. Explanation of each step and why

If the student still does not understand, they can ask for a simpler explanation or a similar example.

Science:
"Explain photosynthesis as if I were 10 years old" – AI adapts the language and uses analogies suitable for the student's age.

History:
"Summarize World War II and focus on causes and consequences" – AI provides structured information to help the student understand the context.

Tools for personal study help

• ChatGPT – Universal AI assistant for all subjects

• Khan Academy Khanmigo – AI tutor integrated in Khan Academy

• Quizlet AI – Create personal flashcards and quizzes

• Socratic by Google – Take a photo of math problems and get step-by-step solutions

Important to remember: AI is a complement to teachers, not a replacement. Students should use AI to understand concepts, not just copy answers.

2. Writing help and language learning

Writing is one of the most fundamental skills in school, but also one of the most challenging for many students. AI has revolutionized how we can learn to write better.

AI as a writing assistant

For essays and reports:
AI can assist with:

• Brainstorming and ideas – "Give me 5 arguments for sustainable development"

• Structure and outline – Create an outline for an essay

• Drafts – Generate a first draft that the student can then edit and make their own

• Language check – Grammar, spelling, and phrasing

• Citing and sources – Help format references correctly

Practical example:
A student is going to write an argumentative text about climate change.

Step 1: "Help me brainstorm arguments for why we need to act against climate change"

• AI provides 10 arguments to choose from

Step 2: "Create an outline for a 3-page essay on this"

• AI creates introduction, three main sections, conclusion

Step 3: The student writes themselves with AI as a sounding board

• When the student gets stuck: "How can I express this more clearly?"

Step 4: "Review my text and give suggestions for improvements"

• AI gives constructive feedback on structure, argumentation, language

Result: The student learns to write better through the process, not by copying AI text.

Language learning with AI

For English, Spanish, French, etc.:

AI is a perfect language partner because it:

• Never gets tired of repeating

• Can converse at any level

• Provides immediate feedback on pronunciation and grammar

• Translates and explains in real-time

Practical exercises:

• Conversation training: Chat with AI in the target language

• Translation: "Translate this sentence and explain the grammar"

• Vocabulary development: "Give me 10 synonyms for 'happy' with examples"

• Writing exercises: "Correct my text and explain my mistakes"

Tools for writing and language

• Grammarly – Advanced grammar and writing help

• ChatGPT – Text generation and language training

• Duolingo Max – Language learning with AI tutor

• QuillBot – Paraphrasing and text improvement

Important discussion: Cheat or learning tool?

Cheating is:

• Letting AI write the entire essay and submitting it as one's own

• Copying AI text without understanding the content

• Using AI to bypass the learning process

Legitimate use is:

• Using AI to better understand the subject

• Asking for feedback and improvement suggestions

• Getting help with structure and ideas, but writing oneself

• Using AI as a study partner and sounding board

Teachers must: Teach students how to use AI ethically and effectively as a learning tool.

3. Time management and organization

One of the biggest challenges for students is to keep track of deadlines, plan studies, and organize their work. AI can be the personal assistant everyone needs.

AI for study schedules

What AI can do:

• Analyze all your deadlines and tasks

• Create a realistic study plan

• Break down large projects into smaller components

• Remind about upcoming deadlines

• Adjust planning when something changes

Practical example:
A student has:

• Math test in 2 weeks

• History report in 3 weeks

• Presentation in Swedish in 10 days

• Ongoing homework every day

AI can create a weekly plan:

• Monday-Wednesday: 30 min math per day

• Thursday-Friday: Work on the Swedish presentation

• Weekend: Research for the history report

• Continuous: 15 min homework every evening

Focus and productivity

AI tools can also:

• Pomodoro timers with AI coaching – "You have studied well for 25 min, take a 5 min break"

• Distraction blockers – Identify when you lose focus

• Motivation boosts – Reminders and encouragement

Tools for planning

• Notion AI – Smart notes and planning

• Motion – AI-driven calendar and scheduling

• Todoist – Task management with AI suggestions

• MyStudyLife – Specialized in study planning

Tips for students: Spend 10 minutes every Sunday evening letting AI help you plan the coming week. It saves hours of stress and chaos later!

4. Teachers' perspective: Saving time on administration

Teachers spend a great deal of time on administrative tasks that are not directly related to teaching. AI can dramatically reduce this burden.

Automatic grading and feedback

What AI can do for teachers:

Multiple-choice tests and quizzes:

• Automatic grading (this is not new, but AI makes it smarter)

• Analysis of which questions were the hardest

• Identify students who need extra support

Open-ended questions and essays:

• AI can give preliminary assessment

• Identify common errors and misconceptions

• Provide initial feedback that the teacher can then complement

Important: AI should NOT assign final grades to creative or analytical tasks, but can be an initial filter that saves the teacher's time.

Time saving: Teachers report that AI-assisted grading can save 30-50% of the time for certain types of tasks.

Lesson planning and materials

AI can help teachers:

• Create lesson plans based on the curriculum

• Generate practice tasks at different difficulty levels

• Create quizzes and tests

• Find relevant examples and case studies

• Adapt materials for students with different needs

Practical example:
A teacher is going to teach about ecosystems for seventh grade.

With AI:

1. "Create a 45-minute lesson plan about ecosystems, adapted for seventh grade"

2. "Generate 10 practice questions with varying difficulty"

3. "Create a simple experiment for students to do"

Time saved: 2-3 hours of planning time is reduced to 30 minutes.

Differentiation and individualization

AI helps teachers to:

• Create different versions of the same material for different levels

• Translate materials for newly arrived students

• Generate extra challenging tasks for advanced students

• Create simplified materials for students needing extra support

Result: Every student receives teaching at their level without the teacher manually creating 3-4 versions of all materials.

Tools for teachers

• MagicSchool AI – AI tools specifically for teachers

• Education Copilot – Lesson planning and material generation

• Curipod – Interactive lessons with AI

• TeachFX – Analyze classroom conversations and engagement

5. Inclusion and accessibility

One of the most powerful uses of AI in schools is how it can make learning accessible to all students, regardless of their circumstances.

For students with reading and writing difficulties

AI tools can:

• Text-to-speech: Read texts aloud so students can listen instead of reading

• Speech-to-text: Students dictate instead of writing

• Simplification: Reformulate complex text into simpler language

• Visual support: Create images and diagrams to explain concepts

For newly arrived students

AI can:

• Translate instructions and materials directly

• Act as language support during lessons

• Help the student communicate with teachers and classmates

• Provide lessons in the native language alongside Swedish

Practical example:
A newly arrived student from Ukraine can:

1. Have homework translated into Ukrainian

2. Complete the assignment with AI support explaining in Ukrainian

3. Write the answer in Swedish with AI's help

4. Gradually reduce language support as Swedish improves

For students with different learning styles

AI can adapt the same content for different preferences:

• Visual learners: Create diagrams, mind maps, images

• Auditory learners: Generate podcasts or stories

• Kinesthetic learners: Suggest practical exercises and experiments

Tools for accessibility

• Speechify – Text-to-speech with natural voices

• Otter.ai – Transcription of lessons in real-time

• Microsoft Immersive Reader – Accessibility tools for reading

• ElevenLabs – Voice generation for study materials

Ethical considerations and challenges

Risks to be aware of

Dependence on AI:
Students can become too dependent on AI and stop thinking independently. Solution: Teach students to use AI as a tool, not a crutch.

Privacy:
What data is collected about students? Solution: Choose tools that are GDPR-compliant and transparent.

Inequality:
Not all students have access to the same AI tools. Solution: Schools should provide tools so everyone has equal opportunities.

Academic honesty:
Where is the line between help and cheating? Solution: Clear guidelines and education on ethical AI use.

FAQs about AI in school

Can students use AI in exams?

It depends on the purpose of the exam. For some exams (where the focus is on process and understanding) AI may be allowed as a tool. For others (where basic knowledge is tested) it should not be used. Teachers need to reformulate assessment in the age of AI.

Will students stop learning to write if they use AI?

Not if used correctly. AI should be like a coach that helps you improve, not a substitute that does everything for you. Focus should be on understanding and improving, not copying.

Do AI tools cost a lot for schools?

Many powerful AI tools have free versions for education. ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and many edtech tools offer free or discounted plans for schools.

How do teachers learn to use AI?

Through professional development, workshops, and self-exploration. Many schools are beginning to offer AI training for teachers. The most important thing is to start experimenting!

Is AI safe for children to use?

Most established AI tools are safe, but schools and parents should:

• Choose tools with strong privacy protections

• Teach about safe AI use

• Monitor how tools are used, especially for younger students

Conclusion: AI as a partner in learning

AI in schools is not about replacing teachers or making students lazy. It's about:

Giving each student personal attention and support
Freeing teachers' time from administration to actual teaching
Making learning more accessible for everyone, regardless of background or needs
Preparing students for the future where AI will be everywhere
Making school more fun and engaging

Schools and students that learn to use AI as a tool will have huge advantages. Those who ignore the technology risk falling behind.

Next step for students: Start experimenting with AI tools today. Use them for homework, planning, and learning – but always with critical thinking.

Next step for teachers: Explore how AI can save time on administration so you have more time for what you love – teaching and inspiring.

Date: August 2, 2025

Written by: aival.se