5+ AI-driven Tools for Students (2026) to Upgrade their Learning

Imagine it’s the night before your homework is due. Panic sets in as you scramble to finish, wishing for a lifeline from your teacher or that one topper friend. Otherwise, you may be self-studying and find yourself stuck on a single problem or concept, with no one around to guide you.  If only you had a quicker way! 

This is where AI-driven Tools come in handy.

Students use AI as a quick alternative to a Google search, but it’s more than that. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity can be used as your own personal assistant—ask it to do research for you, summarise a video/lecture, or even help make up with a friend!

AI-driven tools for students are a treasure house of efficiency, which, when utilised, can significantly boost your productivity. Here are some reliable tools you may find helpful, along with practical ways to use them to improve your study habits.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is often seen as a ‘Jack of All Trades’ in the AI world. It’s an advanced chatbot that can answer all your questions (within its knowledge base and policy limits), simplify complex concepts, help you brainstorm study plans, take notes, revise, and support a wide range of tasks (All you need to do is ask the right question!)

Pricing: Free plan + paid versions

Tips on Using :

• Give the context of the prompt clearly (grade, exam, topic, etc.) for better targeted answers
• Use it to check your understanding—ask ‘Explain this to me like I’m 15 years old.’
• Rewrite notes to make them cleaner or more concise
• Use it to develop Social-Emotional Learning
• Create study schedules and timetables
• Generate practice questions before a test or ask for previous model papers

 

NotebookLM

NotebookLM is like your own ‘Digital Notebook’. An AI tool that lets you upload notes, PDFs, website links (YouTube, etc) and research papers and allows you to summarise, make Quizzes and Flashcards, generate audio discussions, and more. The fun part is that you can share your notebook with friends, just as you would with a physical one!

Pricing: Free for now (Google may update pricing as the product develops)

Tips on Using:

• Keep your uploaded documents organised by subject (making different notebooks for each)
• Combine it with ChatGPT for cross-checking explanations
• Make Mindmaps and Flashcards—for quick visual learning

 

Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha is the personification of ‘Sigma Topper’. It is a computational engine—meaning it doesn’t just search for information; it computes answers (search engines like Google search, Wolfram solves). It can help you calculate and give step-by-step Math solutions, Physics and Chemistry formulae, Unit conversions, or even fetch facts about well-known celebrities and idol groups!

Pricing: Free basic version + Pro subscription

Tips:

• Use it to learn the method, not just copy answers for your homework
• Try entering the exact equation, such as: ‘solve x^2 + 3x + 2’
• Explore graphs to understand functions
• Enter equations to see detailed solutions

Notion

Using Notion feels like having a ‘Personal Diary’—you can customise it as creatively as you wish. In Notion, when you create a new page, you get a blank canvas where you can make notes, databases, to-do lists, planners, add images/videos, and more. 

Notion Database:

A database in Notion is simply a place to store information neatly—like a table, where each item has its own details. You can sort, filter, and view the table in various ways (Table view, Board view, Gallery view, Timeline view, etc.)

Pricing: Free plan + Premium upgrades + Education plan for students

Tips on Using:

• Start simple—don’t get stuck designing the “perfect” Notion page
• Use templates made specially for students
• Create subject-wise pages
• Build a weekly planner and add time-management techniques like Pomodoro
• Keep track of assignments, exams, and deadlines using a Notion database
• Make visually pleasing notes

Canva

Canva could be your tool for ‘All Things Creative’. The easiest design tool for creating presentations, posters, flashcards, and school assignments that look amazing. Its diverse images and graphics allow you and your creativity to expand without bounds!

Pricing: Free plan + Pro subscription + Canva Pro for Education

Tips on Using:

• Use pre-made templates to save time
• Keep designs clean—use minimal text and high-contrast colours
• Make PPT slides for seminars and presentations
• Create visual notes, graphics for projects and visually appealing mind maps

 

Gemini Storybook

Gemini Storybook is an experimental feature some users have access to within Google Gemini. AI that lets you turn your ideas into an illustrated storybook. With it, you can create scenarios, stories, and conceptual visuals—your imagination is the only limit!

Pricing: Free with a Google account

Tips on Using:

• Use visuals to simplify complex concepts
• Try describing what you want as if you’re narrating a scene
• Turn boring topics into visual stories using your creativity
• Brainstorm ideas for essays or creative writing

Grammarly

Grammarly is your dear ‘Writing Guardian’. A writing assistant tool that fixes grammar, spelling, tone, and clarity, and even helps you earn your English teacher’s approval with perfect grammar!

Pricing: Free plan + Premium plan

Tips on Using:

• Don’t accept every suggestion, but understand it matches your intention
• Use it to learn your common mistakes and improve over time
• Check essays and emails
• Improve assignment writing
• Get suggestions to understand the tone of your writing

 

Obsidian

Obsidian works like a ‘Second Brain’. It is a powerful note-taking tool that connects ideas like a knowledge web. In Obsidian, all notes go in a vault. A vault is like a big folder holding pages, and you can jot down your ideas here. We can also connect one idea to another using links ( like this— [[links]] )

For example,

•  You have a page about Dogs
•  and another about Pets

Since dogs are pets, the ideas connect. You link the pages, like building a bridge. Clicking the link jumps you between pages.

More pages and links connect more ideas. This builds a web of ideas, much like a mini-Internet of your knowledge!

Pricing: Mostly free (except features like Sync and Publish)

Tips on Using:

• Use backlinks to connect topics 
• Build a personal digital “textbook”
• Great for deep learning and long-term knowledge retention
• Track how concepts connect across subjects

 

Miro

Miro is a large digital whiteboard and your ‘Brainstorming Playground’. A tool for planning, mind-mapping, group thinking, and idea dumping. It features built-in Post-its for your hasty, expressive thoughts!

Pricing: Free plan + subscription tiers

Tips on Using:

• Use sticky notes for quick ideas
• Colour-code sections for clarity
• Organise project ideas with friends
• Use it as a platform for a personal/group research project
• Share your board with your friends to brainstorm together

 

A Note on Responsible Use of AI/AI-Driven Tools

Use AI/AI-Driven tools as a Study Buddy/Tutor:

Think of these tools as a study partner or a Tutor that helps you learn, explains ideas, and guides you through tough topics, but doesn’t do the work for you.

Do Your Own Thinking:

Utilise them to enhance your understanding, but remember that your own thoughts and originality are what matter most.

Respect the rules of your school:

Each school has its own rules for using AI, so make sure you know what’s allowed and be honest about when you use it.