When we talk about artificial intelligence (AI) in education, conversations often tend to gravitate toward concerns about students copying and pasting assignments, thus bypassing critical thinking, losing the art of originality, and just an overall lack of required knowledge. While these fears are understandable, they do miss an incredible opportunity to see AI as a transformative tool rather than a threat. Combine AI with project-based learning (PBL) and you’ll discover a powerful combination that not only deepens students’ understanding of content but also helps them create, collaborate, and problem-solve in ways we’ve never seen before.

The truth is that PBL has always been about more than just projects. It’s about immersing students in real-world problems, fueled by their curiosity and passion. It’s about hands-on engagement and creating something meaningful all while diving deep into learning along the way. Now, imagine adding AI into the mix. Instead of a tool that has been promoted to teachers solely for the purpose of cranking out lesson plans or worksheets, AI becomes a collaborative partner in the learning journey, truly a means to elevate PBL to new heights.

The Misconceptions of AI in Education

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the fear that students will use AI, like ChatGPT, to cheat. This is a real fear that is rooted in experience; we are living this reality. However, focusing solely on the risks blinds us to the possibilities. Rather than banning AI outright, we should teach students how to use it ethically and effectively. AI isn’t the problem; the problem is how we guide its use in the classroom. We must ask the question, are we being reactive or proactive?

In a PBL environment, the question isn’t, “Will students copy and paste?” It’s, “How can AI help students build something extraordinary?” By flipping the narrative, we see AI not as a shortcut, but as a collaborator. Due to the complexity of PBL, AI is not able to produce the entire hands on experience with the click of a button. 

AI as a Creative Partner in PBL

One of the biggest barriers to success in PBL is the gap between a student’s vision and their ability to execute it. A student might dream of creating a music album, a compelling podcast, or a Marvel-styled comic book story, but they lack the technical skills to bring it to life. This is where AI steps in.

AI tools can help students:

1. Generate Components of a Project: Students can use AI to create scripts, outlines, prototypes, or data visualizations. For example, if a student is designing an app to solve a local community problem, they can use AI to generate code snippets or brainstorm design features.

2. Receive Instant Feedback: AI-powered tools can analyze a student’s work and provide constructive feedback in real-time. Whether it’s improving the clarity of a presentation or optimizing a design, AI helps students refine their work before submitting it. Depending on the platform, students are able to take a picture of what they are working on and upload that image to receive immediate feedback. 

3. Problem-Solve and Iterate: Students can use AI to troubleshoot roadblocks. Imagine a student working on a project about renewable energy who hits a dead end in their research. AI can suggest alternative approaches or summarize complex data to help them move forward.

The key here is that students are still driving the process. AI isn’t doing the work for them—it’s empowering them to overcome obstacles and push the boundaries of what they can achieve.

Elevating Content Mastery

One of the greatest strengths of PBL is its ability to take classroom content and make it come alive. AI deepens this engagement by helping students connect dots they might otherwise miss.

For example, let’s say a history class is working on a PBL unit about the impact of industrialization. Students might use AI to analyze primary source documents, simulate economic trends, or even create an interactive timeline of events. The process of building these tools forces students to engage with the content on a much deeper level than memorizing facts ever could.

AI doesn’t replace critical thinking; it enhances it. By automating repetitive tasks and providing instant resources, AI frees up mental bandwidth for students to focus on higher-order thinking.

Breaking Down Barriers

AI also makes PBL more accessible. For students who struggle with certain aspects of learning—writing, research, or organizing their thoughts—AI can serve as a supportive scaffold. This levels the playing field, allowing all students to participate meaningfully in the project. I have students that are able to tell a chatbot the driving question that needs to be addressed within their project and then they include their own interests and passions. The chatbot is able to help them brainstorm various ideas for projects that would allow students to connect more deeply with the content and its application.

For teachers, AI reduces the workload of planning and assessment, making it easier to design ambitious PBL units. Need to differentiate tasks for a diverse group of learners? AI can generate personalized resources tailored to individual needs.

A Change in Perspective

The idea of integrating AI into PBL may feel daunting, especially for educators who are still getting comfortable with the technology. But the reality is this: AI is already here. We can either ignore it and let fear dictate our choices, or we can lean in, learn, and use it to create something extraordinary.

Here are a few practical steps to get started:

1. Experiment with AI Tools: Start small. Use AI to brainstorm ideas, generate lesson materials, or provide examples of PBL projects. The more you explore, the more you’ll see its potential.

NotebookLM (FREE)

Generate podcasts for students based on notes or reading material that will enhance their understanding of the content. Create study guides and other resources that will help your students understand the content more simply. 

Midjourney ($8.00 per month)

Allows students to generate their own images for presentations and/or projects.

SchoolAI (FREE)

You can create chatbots for your students to interact with that will deepen their understanding of the content being covered. You are able to program in limitations and see the entire conversation that students are having with it.

2. Teach Students to Use AI Responsibly: Build lessons around ethical AI use. Help students understand its capabilities and limitations, and encourage them to use AI as a tool for creation, not as a shortcut. Take time to teach them how to use it and hold them accountable for its use. I have students tell me, on a scale of 0-5 (Zero= none and 5= Completely written by AI), how much of the document was impacted by their use of AI. 

3. Collaborate with Colleagues: Share successes and challenges with other teachers. Explore how AI can enhance your existing curriculum rather than replacing it.

Listen to podcasts and read articles about creative uses of AI. A podcast that I co-host is The AI Cafe on the Bam Radio Network. We discuss successes and challenges within our various educational environments (higher Ed professor, technology specialist and policy developer, elementary special education teacher, and a general education classroom teacher). 

4. Celebrate Student Creativity: Showcase the incredible work your students produce with AI. When students see their ideas come to life in ways they couldn’t achieve alone, it fosters a love of learning that lasts far beyond your classroom. I tend to share these sorts of innovative projects in articles and on social media platforms.

Transforming Education, One Project at a Time

The future of education isn’t about choosing between traditional methods and cutting-edge technology. It’s about blending the best of both to create something more meaningful. By pairing PBL with AI, we’re not just preparing students for tests or the next grade level. We’re equipping them with the skills, creativity, and resilience they’ll need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

AI isn’t here to replace teachers or undermine learning. It’s here to inspire us to think bigger, dig deeper, and create more. And in a PBL classroom, that’s exactly what we need.

So, let’s embrace this moment. Let’s reimagine what’s possible. Because when AI and PBL work hand-in-hand, the results are nothing short of transformative.