AI chat assistants offer two key advantages as learning partners. First, they’re always available—you no longer have to wait for the next scheduled class or office hours to clarify doubts. Second, they’re incredibly patient. You can ask them to rephrase, simplify, provide examples, or even draw analogies repeatedly until you truly understand a concept.

Initially, educators worried that students would rely on AI to complete assignments without engaging with the material. While these concerns were valid, we’ve also discovered more constructive and innovative ways to integrate AI as a valuable learning resource.

Think back to how many times you’ve faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge only to have an AI assistant help you think through it. These tools help dismantle the mental barriers we often impose on ourselves, making complex tasks feel achievable. Beyond their role in explaining concepts, AI assistants also provide a layer of empathy and encouragement, which can be incredibly empowering, especially when tackling intimidating subjects.

Interestingly, this mirrors the early experiments with ELIZA, a program developed by Joseph Weizenbaum in the 1960s to simulate a psychotherapist through simple pattern-matching techniques. While ELIZA did not truly understand or process language, users often felt it encouraged them to articulate their thoughts. Similarly, today’s AI assistants help learners structure and refine their ideas, supporting them in taking the first steps toward learning new skills or solving problems.

Of course, if you’re learning to code, AI can’t make bugs magically disappear. But now, instead of wrestling with errors alone, you have a tireless partner that can suggest solutions, explain errors, and even generate alternative approaches to help you debug more effectively.

Beyond automating routine tasks, the true power of AI assistants lies in how they enable us to extend our learning capabilities. They don’t just make tasks easier—they unlock the potential for deeper learning and personal growth.