Meet the AI That’s in Your Students’ Pockets…

By PATRICK HICKEY

As a teacher and AI CPD host, I see firsthand how artificial intelligence is reshaping education—and not just through ChatGPT. Our students are already deeply immersed in AI, particularly through tools they access daily like Snapchat’s MyAI. A 2020 survey revealed Snapchat as the most-used platform among Irish teenagers, with 55% of 13-14 year olds and 62% of 15-17 year olds using it regularly. These figures are likely significantly higher today, and now every one of these users has an AI companion in their pocket through MyAI.

Students’ Homework Genie

Snapchat’s MyAI has become many of our students’ go to daily AI companion. Beyond simplifying concepts and providing explanations, it’s increasingly their default homework helper. Yet in a recent AI CPD webinar I hosted, only 38% of English teachers polled said they had even seen or used MyAI.

This disconnect is concerning. While MyAI can be helpful, it shares common AI limitations—making mistakes and oversimplifying complex topics. Students need guidance on verifying its responses and recognizing when human reasoning is essential. Teachers must understand MyAI’s capabilities and limitations to effectively guide its use, but how can they guide what they haven’t explored?

The Digital Divide

Two years into the generative AI revolution, we face a critical gap: whilst our students are actively using AI tools, many teachers remain hesitant or unfamiliar with these technologies. This creates a dangerous disconnect. How can we guide students through this AI landscape if we’re not AI-literate ourselves? This needs to change immediately.

Learning from Past Mistakes

We’ve been here before—and got it wrong. When social media and smartphones emerged, we largely left students to “figure it out themselves.” The results of that hands-off approach are now painfully clear in our classrooms and society. We can’t afford to repeat this mistake with AI.

The Solution

We need a comprehensive, nationwide AI literacy programme for educators—not just optional CPD sessions or individual school initiatives. This must include practical AI skills, ethical frameworks, and subject-specific strategies, backed by consistent standards and ongoing support.

Crucially, this training needs to be continuous and embedded into teachers’ professional development time. A once-off webinar won’t suffice. Teachers need time to:

  • Experiment with AI tools in their subject areas
  • Develop and test AI-enhanced lesson plans
  • Share experiences with department colleagues
  • Discover where AI best serves their specific students’ needs

The potential is significant—from creating differentiated resources instantly to providing personalised feedback. But teachers need space to build confidence through practical application. Only then can they effectively guide students in appropriate AI use.

Start Your AI Journey Today

While I continually advocate for comprehensive training, it doesn’t appear this is coming anytime soon. However, teachers can’t afford to wait. Given you’re reading this blog, you’re likely already exploring AI in education—and that’s fantastic. But at your next staff meeting or pedagogy teachmeet, consider sharing these immediate steps with colleagues who haven’t yet started their AI journey:

  1. Start Small, Start Now
  • Create a personal learning account on ChatGPT or Claude
  • Spend 15 minutes daily experimenting with AI tools
  • Try basic tasks like lesson planning or resource creation
  1. Understand Your Students’ AI World
  • Check out Snapchat’s MyAI HERE —the AI tool your students use daily
  • Open discussions about how they use AI
  • Learn from their experiences and perspectives

The Stakes Are High

The choice is clear: either we actively shape AI’s role in education, or we risk another generation learning to use powerful tools without proper guidance. The cost of inaction? A widening disconnect between teachers and the digital reality of their students.

The time for cautious observation has passed—our students need our guidance NOW!

Patrick Hickey (@aiteachingguru) is an AI CPD Provider, Media Contributer, Current Teacher, Assistant Principal in Boherbue Comprehensive School, Co. Cork.

If you have any queries you can email www.aiteachingguru@gmail.com

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