“You Don’t Just Get AI”: A Tufts Alum on Learning How to Learn With It

An interview with Sam Kent Saint Pierre ‘24, Biochemistry

by Mehek Vora

When Sam graduated from Tufts in Spring 2024 with a degree in Biochemistry, they left with more than just academic knowledge, they left with an understanding that using AI well isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone. And that’s okay.

“It took me some time to figure out how to effectively use AI in my studies,” Sam admits.

Early on, the flashy promises of AI tools fell flat. During a molecular biology assignment, Sam had to review an AI-generated summary of a major paper on CRISPR-Cas. The summary, generated by BARD, sounded polished but did not go deep. 

“While the summary wasn’t entirely wrong, it was incomplete… much of it just being vague, not engaging with the main findings or the specific details of the research.”

It left Sam frustrated and confused. Was this all AI could do? Was it actually helpful? The answer wasn’t a no but it wasn’t a yes either. Sam stopped using AI for a while because they were unsure how to make it work. 

But like any tool, the value of AI depends on how you use it is. 

When Sam began exploring more active study strategies, they decided to revisit AI but this time from a different perspective. 

“I began using ChatGPT to generate questions based on my notes, particularly questions aligned with various levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy.”

Instead of asking AI for answers, Sam asked it for questions. Questions that made them think harder, not less. One AI-generated prompt stood out:

“Assess the impact of pH on the ionization states of amino acids in a biological system. How do these changes in ionization states influence protein folding and activity?”

That question challenged Sam to engage deeply with content from their biochemistry course, pushing them to consider real-world biological contexts.

It wasn’t about skipping the hard work, it was about trying to get the tool to help you get there. 

Even once Sam found their rhythm, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. AI could still be wrong, confidently wrong. Like when it used an incorrect formula to calculate DNA’s superhelical density.

But instead of turning away again, Sam adapted. They learned to use AI with a critical eye. Because using AI well isn’t just about knowing what to ask. It’s about knowing when to double-check the answer as well.

When asked what they want the Tufts community to understand most about AI, Sam was clear: “AI is a powerful tool, but it should not be used blindly… users must verify the information and ensure it aligns with what they’ve learned to avoid encoding misconceptions.”

And they’re right. The ability to use AI thoughtfully isn’t a magical skill some students have and others don’t. It’s something everyone can learn through trial, error, and intentional practice.

Sam’s story is a reminder that struggling with AI at first doesn’t mean it’s too complex or superficial. It just means you’re at the beginning of the learning curve. And like any good lesson at Tufts, it’s one worth sticking with.