Students today have access to more information than any generation before them. But having an answer is not the same as understanding a concept.That is where artificial intelligence could play a more meaningful role in education. Used well, AI can help students simplify difficult topics, ask questions without hesitation, practise repeatedly, revise in ways that suit them and gradually become more independent learners. The opportunity, therefore, is not simply to use AI to finish homework faster, but to use it to make learning more effective.For parents and educators, however, this raises an important question: How can students use AI without losing curiosity, critical thinking or academic rigour?The answer may lie not in restricting access to AI tools, but in teaching students how to use them responsibly.This is the gap that AI for Academic Excellence by The Economic Times aims to address. The structured six-class learning programme is designed to help students use AI intelligently for academics from understanding concepts and simplifying difficult chapters to creating revision material, practising through quizzes and worksheets, improving recall and preparing for examinations.At its core, the programme focuses on a simple shift: moving students from “AI gives me answers” to “AI helps me understand.” When students can ask questions in their own words, seek another explanation, visualise a difficult concept or practise without fear of judgement, learning can become more approachable.To help families and educators experience this approach before deciding whether to enrol, The Economic Times is opening Class 1 of AI for Academic Excellence free of cost on 15 August, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The session will be available through YouTube Live and live streaming on The Economic Times platform.The session is not only for students. Parents can attend to understand what productive AI usage looks like and how it can support academics without becoming a shortcut. Teachers and schools can also see how AI can support differentiated explanations, practice, revision, curiosity and personalised learning.And attending the free class does not require committing to the full programme. It is an opportunity to experience the methodology first and decide whether it fits a child, classroom or school.AI will increasingly become part of how students study and solve problems. The more important question is whether they will learn to use it in a way that makes them better thinkers and better learners.Experience Class 1 of AI for Academic Excellence, live and free on 15 August, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.