The traffic-light guide
Using AI for school isn't simply allowed or banned. It depends on what you're asking it to do. One rule covers almost every case.
The rule
If AI does the part your teacher wants to see you do, it's red.
| Light | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Go: AI helps you learn | Explain a concept at my level; quiz me; make practice questions; show me where my mistake is after I've tried |
| Amber | Use with care: you stay in charge | Feedback on my draft; brainstorm ideas; help me plan a project; translate something so I can understand it |
| Red | Stop: AI would do the learning for you | Write my essay; answer homework I haven't attempted; anything your teacher marked no-AI; anything during a test |
Your teacher's rule comes first
Schools and teachers set their own rules, and they differ. Some tasks allow AI for brainstorming, some allow none at all. When your teacher's rule and this guide disagree, follow your teacher. When there's no rule, ask. "Can I use AI to quiz myself on this?" is a question most teachers will be glad to hear.
Amber is the light that needs most judgement. The same request can be amber on one task and red on another: feedback on your plan is fine, until the task is to show you can plan on your own.
Sort these six
Decide green, amber or red for each request, then open it to check.
"Explain how volcanoes form, at a level for a 13-year-old."
Green. It helps you understand; the learning is still yours.
"Write a 300-word story for my English homework."
Red. Writing the story is the part your teacher wants to see you do.
"Here is my essay plan. What is the weakest point?"
Amber. Useful feedback, as long as you make the changes yourself.
"Give me ten practice questions on fractions."
Green. Practice questions make you do the thinking.
"What is the answer to question 4? I have not tried it yet."
Red. Answers before you have tried skip the learning.
"Translate this article so I can understand it."
Amber. Fine for understanding. Red if the task is to translate it yourself.
Start with green
The most useful green habit is the simplest: ask AI to teach you, not to answer for you.
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026