As generative AI becomes increasingly integrated into educational and professional settings, the need to teach students how to use these tools ethically and effectively has never been more urgent. While faculty members establish course-specific expectations and institutions craft broad policies on AI use, another key group is stepping in to fill the gap between theory and practice: academic coaches and tutors. These professionals are uniquely positioned to help students develop AI literacy, encompassing not only the technical know-how to utilize generative tools but also the critical thinking and ethical reasoning necessary to use them responsibly.

Students often find themselves in a gray area when it comes to using generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, or image generators in their coursework. Institutional policies may prohibit unauthorized AI assistance, but many students are still unclear about what counts as “unauthorized.” Academic coaches and tutors help bridge this gap by offering students individualized support in understanding what responsible AI use looks like.

For example, a writing tutor might help a student analyze the difference between using AI to brainstorm topic ideas versus using it to write entire paragraphs. Similarly, a math tutor might explain how an AI-generated solution could be helpful for checking work (but not as a substitute for understanding the underlying process) and help the student be on the lookout for incorrect AI feedback. In these cases, tutors guide students to use AI as a supplement to their thinking, not a replacement for it.

AI literacy isn’t just about knowing how to prompt a chatbot; it’s about understanding the broader ethical landscape. Coaches and tutors play a crucial role in this by encouraging students to reflect on academic integrity, authorship, and accountability. In live support sessions, academic coaches might ask:

  • “How did you verify the accuracy of this AI-generated response?”
  • “What part of this idea is yours, and what came from the tool?”
  • “How would you explain this solution in your own words?”

These questions not only reinforce institutional values around academic honesty but also help students build the metacognitive skills needed to navigate an evolving digital world.

Tutors and academic support staff also serve as allies to faculty and institutions by reinforcing the standards set in syllabuses and honor codes. They can help interpret and apply these standards in real-time, addressing student confusion before it becomes a conduct issue. Many support centers even train tutors on how to have productive conversations about AI use, encouraging curiosity while drawing firm boundaries around misuse.

Moreover, some institutions have begun integrating AI guidance into their tutoring platforms and coaching curricula. NetTutor, for example, aligns its AI-related tutoring practices with each partner institution’s policies, ensuring students receive guidance that reflects the expectations of their academic environment. In doing so, tutors become an extension of the institution’s ethical framework, reinforcing not just what students can do with AI, but what they should do.

NetTutor recently launched its AI Hub, where students can receive coaching on not only the technical ins and outs of AI, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics, but also how their use applies to an academic setting. “The goal isn’t just to help students use AI; it’s to help them use it responsibly,” said Vincent Forese, President of NetTutor. “By working within each institution’s academic framework, our tutors and coaches guide students in understanding both the power and the boundaries of these tools.”

In a world where generative AI will continue to shape how we learn, work, and communicate, fostering AI literacy is no longer optional; it’s essential. Academic coaches and tutors are not just homework helpers; they are mentors in digital citizenship. By helping students strike a balance between innovation and integrity, these professionals ensure that the next generation of learners enters the workforce ethically grounded. As AI continues to transform education, academic support professionals will remain at the forefront: teaching students how to think critically, act responsibly, and use technology to enhance, not replace, their own learning.