Interview Series: How Are People Using AI Right Now?
In today’s story, we explore how high school students in the USA are using AI tools to reshape their academic lives.
By: Kinley King
A Growing Trend Among Students
In Williamson County, Tennessee — a fast-growing suburban community just south of Nashville — the use of AI among students has surged, and young people are not only aware of this shift, they’re driving it. For readers outside the United States, “high school” refers to the final stage of secondary education, typically serving students between the ages of 14 and 18 before they move on to university or the workforce. These high school students, faced with heavy academic workloads and mounting expectations, have turned to AI-powered tools as a way to keep up. Through a series of interviews, a clear pattern emerged: students are using these apps daily to cut down the time they spend on homework and studying.
The Top Tools: ChatGPT, Gauth AI, and Photomath
Three apps came up repeatedly in interviews: ChatGPT, Gauth AI, and Photomath. Each has its own strengths and limitations. Photomath is designed exclusively for mathematics, making it a go-to for solving equations but limited in scope. Gauth AI and ChatGPT, on the other hand, offer much wider support across multiple subjects. Among the three, ChatGPT was consistently cited as the most effective and versatile tool.
A Surprise Discovery: AI for Faith
One unexpected finding from the interviews was the mention of an app called Haven. Unlike the academic tools, Haven is an AI-powered app designed specifically for Bible study and religious questions. Williamson County has a large Christian population, so it’s perhaps not surprising that faith-based technology resonates here. Several students shared that they use Haven regularly to explore their beliefs and deepen their understanding of scripture — a reminder that AI’s influence extends well beyond the classroom and into the personal and spiritual lives of young people.
The Learning Gap: Quick Answers vs. Real Understanding
While these tools offer fast answers and simple explanations that keep students engaged, there’s a trade-off. Many students admitted that they skip the learning process entirely, jumping straight to the answer rather than working through the material. The apps were designed to support learning, but in practice, they often serve as a shortcut. This raises an important question — one relevant to educators worldwide — about whether convenience is coming at the cost of deeper understanding.
The Time Savings Are Real
Despite the controversy, the benefits are tangible. Students interviewed reported saving an estimated one to two hours per day on homework and studying by using AI tools. That freed-up time allows them to pursue extracurricular activities, spend time with family, or simply decompress — a meaningful improvement in their daily routines.
The Bottom Line
AI tools remain a polarizing topic in education around the world, but in the eyes of Williamson County students, they are an essential daily resource. From ChatGPT to Photomath to faith-based apps like Haven, young people are integrating AI into nearly every aspect of their academic and personal lives. The challenge going forward — for Williamson County and communities everywhere — will be finding the balance between efficiency and genuine learning.
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