Understanding the 30% AI Rule - and Why AI Is a Good Thing When Used Well
If you’ve heard about the “30% AI rule” floating around schools and creative circles, you might be wondering what it really means - and whether you should be concerned about your child’s use of Artificial Intelligence. The good news is: there’s nothing to fear! When used thoughtfully, AI can be a fantastic tool for learning, creativity, and problem-solving.
What Is the 30% AI Rule?
The “30% AI rule” is a simple guideline designed to help students (and adults!) use AI responsibly. It means that when you’re creating something — whether it’s an essay, a project, or a piece of code - no more than about 30% of the work should come directly from AI tools. The remaining 70% should come from the learner’s own ideas, research, and effort.
This balance encourages students to use AI as a supporting tool, not a replacement for their own thinking. It’s like using a calculator in maths: helpful for checking answers or solving complex parts, but you still need to understand how to do the problem yourself.
AI Isn’t Here to Replace Us - It’s Here to Help Us
AI can sound a bit mysterious (and even intimidating), but at its heart, it’s just a form of technology designed to make certain tasks quicker or easier. When used in the right way, AI can:
Spark creativity by suggesting new ideas or helping overcome “blank page” moments.
Save time on repetitive or tricky parts of projects.
Support learning by giving instant feedback or extra practice.
Build confidence as children see their ideas come to life with a little help.
The key is how it’s used - AI should never do the learning for children, but it can make the learning process more engaging and effective.
Why Learning to Code Is So Valuable
Coding teaches more than just how to write computer programs. It helps children think logically, solve problems creatively, and persevere when things don’t work right away - all vital skills for the future.
When children learn to code, they also start to understand how technology (including AI!) actually works. Instead of seeing it as magic, they realise it’s built by people - which makes it far less mysterious and far more empowering.
How We Use AI at Coco Coders
Some of our lessons at Coco Coders incorporate AI to make learning even more exciting and relevant. Students might explore how AI works behind the scenes, experiment with creative AI projects, or learn how technology can think and respond. It’s a great way to introduce them to the tools shaping the world around them - all in a safe, engaging, and age-appropriate way.
The Takeaway for Parents
AI is here to stay, and it’s becoming a normal part of how we learn and work. Rather than fearing it, we can teach children to use it responsibly and creatively. Combined with coding skills, AI can be a powerful ally in helping young people think, build, and innovate for the future.
At Coco Coders, we believe in learning by doing — and that includes learning how to use AI wisely. The future is bright (and a little bit AI-powered), and we’re excited to help your child be part of it.
