Coming Soon to Paper: On-Demand Tutoring for Every Student

Dear administrators who are shaping AI policies today,

Every day I hang out with "PAT" (my name for it, not what Paper calls it).

"PAT" is my friend— my Personal Artificial Intelligence Tutor, an AI that adapts to my learning through guided questions. It is designed to teach me lessons I struggle with. "PAT" doesn’t judge, get frustrated, or doesn’t make me feel stupid for asking questions.

Before "PAT", I spent a semester struggling, and my grades prove it. I went to teachers, re-read material, and still felt stuck. I was told to drop classes, but I knew I could handle the work; I just needed help. That's where "PAT" came in.

So why an AI tutor? AI is already here. According to the Center for Democracy and Technology, 86% of students used AI during the 2024-25 school year and many believe it’s transforming education. Students already use AI to explain concepts and study, but accuracy is a major concern. Unlike uncontrolled AI tools, "PAT" is designed for education and built by educators. Rather than leaving students to rely on unregulated platforms, wouldn’t it make more sense for schools to provide AI aligned with the curriculum?

One size does not fit all. AI tutoring personalized learning by adapting to individual pacing through targeted explanations. As a student with ADD, traditional classrooms are challenging, especially when asking questions publicly. "PAT" removes this barrier by offering a private, judgement-free space where learning feels more comfortable.

"PAT" isn’t an answer – it’s a learning source. Instead of handing out solutions, it adapts to how I understand concepts and where confusion occurs. Unlike limited teacher availability, "PAT" offers flexible, individualized support to ensure real understanding.

Of course, AI has downsides. Access is a concern. According to UNESCO, one-third of humanity remains offline, and many lack resources for such tools. While some turn to ChatGPT, it’s not ideal for learning. AI is largely unregulated, accuracy isn’t guaranteed. However, if educational institutions partnered with AI tutoring programs, they could oversee content and ensure reliable learning.

This is not to say “Down with the teachers. Rise the machines”. AI should complement teachers by integrating into the curriculum and ensuring students access to help. Teachers shouldn’t have to sacrifice extra time to support one student. I know this because I was that student—often leaving help sessions still feeling behind—so I turned to a resource available to me: "PAT".

I still seek help from my teachers, but when they’re unavailable, I don’t stress because I have "PAT". I’m grateful for this support, yet I know I’m the minority; most students don’t have access to this tool. If public schools used AI as an educational resource, all students could receive personalized, self-paced instruction tailored to their learning styles.

Wouldn’t we all be better off–teachers and students–if "PAT" were available to everyone? Would students become more confident learners? Would teachers keep pace with curriculum or even engage in advanced learning? Could it reduce misinformation and reliance on unregulated AI? I say a resounding yes.

Sincerely,

Olive B.