How to use AI to study
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A complete guide to learn more and better
Have you ever spent hours trying to understand a complex concept, rereading the same paragraph multiple times without success? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of content to review before a test and didn’t know where to start?
Generative artificial intelligence has gone from a futuristic promise to a reality in the daily lives of those who study. A 2025 survey showed that seven out of ten high school students already use AI tools for school research . The secret to using this technology effectively, however, lies not in asking for ready-made answers, but in transforming AI into a true tutor that guides your learning .
When used with intention and discernment, AI for studying helps you understand complex content, organize your routine, review with more quality, and learn with more consistency . In this guide, you’ll discover how to use artificial intelligence in your studies ethically and strategically — from planning to review, including the creation of personalized materials and mock tests.
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The right mindset for studying with AI
Before exploring the tools, it’s essential to align expectations. Artificial intelligence is not an infallible encyclopedia — it can make mistakes and even invent information convincingly, a phenomenon known as “hallucination” . Therefore, blindly trusting the generated information is a risk. The secret lies in treating AI as a support tool, not a crutch .
Ethical use of technology in studies requires responsibility . Instead of just asking for the ready-made answer, use AI to understand the process. Professor Edney Souza, from ESPM, emphasizes that AI has no experience or personal background — the student’s differentiator lies in taking the AI’s text base and rewriting it in their own vocabulary and, above all, inserting their own reflections and examples .
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Essential tools for studying with AI
ChatGPT and Study Mode
ChatGPT, from OpenAI, is one of the most versatile tools for students . The platform launched the “Study and learn” mode, developed in partnership with educators and pedagogy experts. Instead of immediately revealing the answer, the tool guides the student to the solution, explaining the reasoning step by step .
How to use:
- Activate study mode and ask for guided explanations on difficult concepts
- Ask the AI to create review questions based on the material you’ve provided
- Request analogies with topics you like (sports, music, movies) to understand complex subjects
Gemini and Guided Learning
Google Gemini also created a study mode called “Guided Learning”, developed with educators and students themselves. The proposal is to encourage active student participation through questions that help deepen understanding of the content. Responses may also include images, diagrams, and YouTube videos .
Additionally, Gemini offers the “Visual Learning” tool, which automatically integrates images, diagrams, and videos into responses — ideal for understanding processes like photosynthesis, parts of a cell, or other complex topics .
NotebookLM: the tool for your own materials
NotebookLM, from Google, is one of the most powerful study resources . Unlike common chatbots, it is “anchored” strictly to the sources you provide — books, articles, slides, notes — which drastically reduces the chance of errors or fabrications . You can upload PDFs and documents and ask questions based solely on that material, obtaining reliable and targeted answers .
Claude: the expert in long texts
Claude, from Anthropic, is an excellent choice for those dealing with long texts . It reads 20-page articles without losing the thread: you paste the material and ask it to identify the central thesis, main arguments, and points that deserve questioning. It also works well for reviewing arguments in academic papers .
Perplexity: research with sources
Perplexity is focused on research. Instead of just answering, the platform brings links and references, which is useful for those who want to study based on verifiable sources . It works like a search engine that already synthesizes for you, but always indicating the source of information .
Other useful tools
- Rephrase AI: rephrases complex texts into simpler language without changing the meaning
- Gamma: creates slide presentations from simple commands
- Wolfram Alpha: solves calculus problems step by step
- Notion AI: helps structure notes, summaries, and personalized materials
Practical strategies for studying with AI
1. Create a personalized study plan
AI can create detailed study plans based on your available time and goals . Use commands like: “Create a study plan to learn Spanish in 3 months to reach an intermediate level. Include reading and video suggestions” .
2. Transform PDFs and notes into interactive summaries
One of the most powerful strategies is using AI to transform lecture PDFs into interactive widgets with summaries, comparisons, flashcards, and quizzes . The method is simple: send the material to AI and ask for a structured summary by lessons or topics, with key concepts organized in expandable cards .
3. Create flashcards and quizzes
Flashcards remain one of the most effective tools for memorizing concepts . With AI, you can automatically generate question-and-answer cards from notes, articles, or books . Additionally, ask AI to create multiple-choice questions based on the material you’ve studied — and then ask for the commented answer key to understand where you went wrong .
Golden tip: ask AI to explain why the other alternatives are incorrect. That’s where real learning happens .
4. Simplify complex content
If a concept seems to have been written in another language, use AI to simplify the explanation before turning to the textbook . Ask: “Explain [content] as if you were teaching someone who has never seen the subject, using practical examples” . You can also ask for explanations in accessible language, like “Explain trigonometry as if I were 10 years old” .
5. Practice your argumentation for essays
Instead of AI writing your essay, use it as a partner to develop arguments . Ask: “I’m going to write about [topic]. Give me three arguments for and three against, citing possible areas of knowledge I could use” . The construction of the text and your critical perspective are what ensure your text’s success .
6. Use Socratic Prompting
Instead of asking for the ready-made answer, use the Socratic Prompting technique: ask AI to act as a tutor that doesn’t give the answer immediately but analyzes your reasoning and asks questions that help you find the way on your own . This approach transforms AI into an active study tool, stimulating the brain to process information more deeply .
7. Organize your routine and reviews
AI can help structure schedules based on exam or competition notices . Use tools like Google Gemini to develop mind maps, visually organizing concepts and establishing relationships between different pieces of information . Gemini also allows you to generate audio summaries, expanding ways to review content, and create infographics, transforming information into visual materials to support comprehension and review .
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The student’s role: active learning
The major challenge when using AI to study is to see it as support for learning and not as a shortcut to get ready-made answers . Active learning — where the student interacts with content, questions, practices, and applies — is what truly consolidates knowledge.
AI can help with structure, organization, and material creation, but the effort to understand, relate, and apply knowledge remains yours. Therefore, use AI to create review questions, test your knowledge, and practice your argumentation, but not to skip essential learning steps .
Frequently asked questions about using AI to study
What’s the best AI for studying?
There isn’t a single best one — it depends on your need. For long texts, Claude is excellent . For organizing your own materials, NotebookLM is unbeatable . For research with sources, Perplexity stands out . For general and versatile use, ChatGPT and Gemini are great options .
How to prevent AI from “hallucinating” during studies?
Always check the information against reliable materials, such as textbooks and study guides . Use NotebookLM, which is anchored exclusively in your sources, to reduce the risk of errors .
What is ChatGPT’s and Gemini’s study mode?
These are features that transform AI into a tutor, guiding the student to the solution instead of giving ready-made answers. They ask questions, check your knowledge level, and explain content step by step .
Can I use AI to create mock tests?
Yes! Ask AI to create multiple-choice questions based on the material you’ve studied. Then, ask for the commented answer key and explain why the other alternatives are incorrect. This transforms passive reading into active study .
How to use AI without “cheating”?
Use AI to understand the process, not to skip steps. Ask for explanations, create review questions, practice your argumentation — but always write the final paper in your own words and review the information .
What is NotebookLM?
It’s a Google tool that works like a superpowered notebook, focused on analyzing PDFs and your own documents. You upload your materials and AI answers questions based exclusively on that content .
Can studying with AI replace books and teachers?
No. AI is a support tool, not a substitute. It can explain concepts, create questions, and organize information, but reliable educational material and teacher guidance remain essential for deep and critical learning .
