Introduction: The Blank Page Problem
The hardest part of any assignment is starting. You stare at a blank Google Doc, the cursor blinking, and your mind goes empty.
In the past, you might have asked a parent or a friend for ideas. Today, you can ask AI.
But is that allowed?
Many students worry that asking an AI for a topic idea is the same as asking it to write the essay. The good news is that most universities view these as two very different things. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it.
Here is how to use AI to spark your creativity without getting burned.
The "Green Zone" of AI Usage
Most academic integrity experts agree that using AI for ideation (coming up with ideas) is generally acceptable, often called the "Green Zone" of AI ethics.
This is because brainstorming is not the final product; it is just the spark. When you use AI to generate a list of topics, you still have to do the research, write the arguments, and verify the facts.
Safe examples of AI brainstorming:
Topic Generation: "I need to write about the Civil War. Give me 10 unique angles that focus on economics."
Devil's Advocate: "I am arguing that video games are good for learning. What are three strong counter-arguments I should prepare for?"
Question Framing: "Help me refine this research question to be more specific."
In these cases, the AI is acting like a study partner, not a ghostwriter.
When Brainstorming Becomes Cheating
Brainstorming turns into cheating when you stop thinking.
If you ask the AI to "give me a thesis statement" and you paste it into your paper without changing it, you have crossed the line. This is because the thesis is the core argument of your essay. If the AI thought of it, you didn't.
The "Red Zone" risks:
Outsourcing Curiosity: If you let the AI pick your topic, you likely won't care about it, which leads to weak writing.
The Structure Trap: If you ask AI for an outline and follow it exactly, your essay will sound generic. AI outlines often lack the "flow" that human writers naturally create.
Strict Bans: Be careful—some specific writing programs (like those at Harvard Summer School) may strictly prohibit AI use even for brainstorming, so you must always check your syllabus first.
How to Brainstorm Without "Stealing" Ideas
To stay safe, treat the AI as a sounding board, not a solution machine.
1. Ask for Lists, Not Answers Never ask for one idea. Ask for ten. This forces you to evaluate them and pick the best one, which is a critical thinking skill.
2. Mix and Match Take an idea from the AI, combine it with a concept from your textbook, and add a personal example. By synthesizing these elements, you create something original.
3. Do the Reading First Don't brainstorm before you read the material. AI might suggest an angle that isn't supported by your assigned text, leading to frustration later.
Transparency is Key
Even if you only used AI for ideas, many universities now want you to admit it.
Schools like the University of Alberta suggest that students should include a brief "reflection" at the end of an assignment explaining how they used AI.
A simple disclosure looks like this:
Note: I used ChatGPT to generate a list of potential topics for this essay. I selected the topic myself and conducted all research and writing independently.
Conclusion
Is using AI for brainstorming cheating? Usually, no.
It is a powerful tool to get you unstuck. As long as you use the AI to start the process and not to finish it, you are using technology to learn, not to cheat.
