AI Isn’t Cheating—It’s Just the New Google (And That’s a Good Thing)
Once, searching on Google was seen as 'cheating.' Now, AI tools are getting the same label. But maybe—just maybe—they’re the next normal. Here’s why we should embrace the evolution, not fear it.
Ever Googled something and wondered, “Am I cheating?”
Or used ChatGPT and felt guilty—like you cut a corner?
You’re not alone.
““Every new technology is called cheating—until it becomes normal.”
”
— A future teacher, probably
My First Encounter With AI
Before ChatGPT, AI felt distant—just some math-heavy machine trained by tech geeks. I didn’t fear it, but I didn’t understand it either.
Then I tried it.
I asked a study-related question—something I’d normally Google. Google gave me links. ChatGPT gave me the answer. Short, sharp, and in human tone.
At first, it felt weird.
Then it felt like magic.
Then it felt like... cheating?
The Coding Problem That Changed My Mind
There was a moment that flipped everything.
I got stuck on a frustrating coding issue.
Googled for hours. Forums, blogs, YouTube—nothing worked.
In frustration, I dumped the problem into ChatGPT.
Within seconds—a clean, working solution.
My jaw dropped.
Was this cheating?
Or was this just... better?
History Is Repeating
Back in school, we were trained to memorize.
Then came Google. People said, “Kids won’t learn anything now!”
But did we stop learning?
No. We just learned better, faster, and with freedom.
Now AI is the new Google—and the same debate is back.
People call it “cheating” because it removes the old struggle.
But every innovation feels like cheating… until it doesn’t.
AI Isn’t Replacing Us—It’s Revealing Us
We’ve always had tools:
- Calculators
- Auto-correct
- YouTube tutorials
AI is just the next evolution.
And like every great tool, it magnifies whatever we feed it.
If you’re lazy, AI won’t save you.
But if you’re curious, it’s a jetpack.
“AI doesn’t replace you. It multiplies you.”
Real Example: How AI Boosted My Creative Work
When building my portfolio, I was stuck on animation design.
Before AI, I’d binge-watch tutorials for hours.
Now, I just asked ChatGPT: “What are the most minimal, modern animations in 2025?”
In seconds, I had suggestions, tools, code snippets, and a clear vision.
That saved me days.
But Isn’t It Still Cheating?
That depends.
Is using a calculator cheating?
Is typing instead of handwriting cheating?
Is turning on a light at night cheating?
Of course not.
We use the tools of our time. AI is our generation’s tool.
Why Some People Still Fear AI
Simple: It makes hard things easier.
And people who spent years mastering something feel replaced.
Someone might take 10 years to master programming.
Now, with AI, a beginner might catch up in two.
That feels unfair.
But that’s progress, not theft.
AI isn’t stealing knowledge—it’s democratizing it.
“When Google came, it didn’t kill books. It killed gatekeeping.”
You Still Need a Human Behind the Screen
I feared losing my edge.
Would I stop learning? Would I stop thinking?
Turns out, you still need you.
AI might write a letter—but your tone, story, emotions? That’s still all you.
If you don’t know what to ask, AI won’t know what to say.
If you don’t refine your prompts, AI becomes noise.
Like a car, it moves. But you steer.
Search vs AI: Will It Replace Google?
Probably not.
Google still has its place—addresses, local business info, long-tail search.
AI and search will co-exist.
One gives you raw data. The other gives you refined wisdom.
Just like petrol and electric cars—each serves different needs.
My Final Word
I’ve used AI to:
- Fix code
- Spark blog ideas
- Learn tools like Figma faster
- Get unstuck when I hit creative blocks
But every idea? Every blog?
It’s mine. My thoughts. My voice.
AI didn’t replace me—it helped me be more me.
““When calculators appeared, teachers called it cheating.
”
When Google appeared, they called it cheating.
But in the end, we all just got better at using our tools.”
AI isn’t cheating.
It’s the new Google.
And that’s a good thing.
So here’s my advice:
Use AI. Learn how to prompt well. Build cool things.
Just don’t let the tool do all the thinking.
The future will belong to those who collaborate—not compete—with their tools.
Tushar Panchal
Introvert, chai lover, and lifelong brainstormer from Haryana. I write stories and real talk—dogs, late-night thoughts, failures, and all the messy stuff.
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