Five must-have AI tools for students
Productivity tools: AI-driven productivity tools can help students organise their study materials, improve communication, and manage their time more efficiently. Tools like Microsoft Copilot, Notion, and Otter.ai assist in note-taking, transcription, and structuring research. They can also summarise key lecture points, convert spoken discussions into text, and generate well-organised study guides. Students with disabilities also benefit from AI-powered accessibility features like speech-to-text and text-to-speech functionalities and AI-powered translation services that make education more inclusive. By automating repetitive tasks, these tools allow students to focus on critical thinking and deeper learning.
Coding assistants: AI-powered coding assistants can be a game-changer for students in STEM fields, especially those studying Computer Science and Engineering. GitHub Copilot provides real-time code suggestions, helps debug errors, and explains complex coding concepts. Cursor allows developers to write code using natural language instructions, along with other features like autocomplete and chat query function. Codeium helps developers write code faster and more efficiently by providing features like intelligent code completion, code generation, and code explanation. Students can focus on innovation and problem-solving by reducing time spent on troubleshooting.
Multimodal tools: These enhance learning by processing and presenting information across multiple formats, such as text, audio, video, and images. Google's Gemini API enables students to interact with AI through voice commands, handwritten equations, and pictures, helping them tackle complex subjects like Mathematics and Physics.
Tutors and research assistants: Students often face challenges understanding complex topics, conducting research, or preparing for exams. Tools such as Claude AI and AI-powered research assistants can help bridge these gaps by providing real-time explanations, summarising academic papers, and generating citations. These can create personalised study plans, track a student's progress, and offer tailored feedback based on individual learning styles. Research assistants make it easier to process large volumes of information by condensing complex topics into digestible summaries, helping students save time while ensuring a deeper understanding of their subjects.
Mentorship: AI-powered tools help students connect with the right mentors based on their interests, goals, and learning styles. These platforms provide personalised recommendations, track mentorship progress, and ensure a structured approach to skill development. By leveraging them, students can gain valuable career insights, receive academic guidance, and build meaningful professional relationships that help them transition smoothly into the workforce.
Ethical considerations
While AI has enormous potential to improve academic performance and learning efficiency, issues with accuracy, cognitive disengagement, and ethical implications must be addressed for successful application. The emphasis must be on guaranteeing fair, efficient, and responsible experiences in AI-enhanced learning environments. Students must use these tools judiciously as over-reliance on AI for assignments can hinder critical thinking, and misusing AI-generated content may compromise academic integrity. To truly benefit from this technology, these tools must be viewed as 'assistants' and not 'substitutes'. Additionally, AI-generated information must be thoroughly verified for accuracy and relevance. Striking a balance between digital learning and human interaction will be crucial to fostering well-rounded academic and personal growth.
The writer is the Co-founder of Scaler and InterviewBit.
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