Introducing The AI Diaries: How We Use AI to Spark Curiosity, Creativity, and Learning at Home
Real-life AI strategies from a homeschooling parent & educator — helping you use AI as a tool for enriching your child’s learning, not a replacement for thinking.
AI in Education: Tool or Threat?
When you hear about AI in education, do you feel...
worried that your child might use it to “cheat the test”?
concerned about unreliable sources or biased information?
afraid that AI will squash creativity rather than fuel it?
anxious that your child might lose the ability to think independently?
completely overwhelmed about where to even begin with AI?
If any of this resonates, you’re not alone. I had many of these concerns when I first encountered AI in learning. In fact, some of them still give me pause. But something unexpected happened when I started exploring AI with my kids:
Instead of making them lazy, AI made them more curious. Instead of replacing critical thinking, it enhanced their ability to question and analyze. And rather than stifling creativity, AI opened up super cool new ways to express ideas and explore knowledge.
But here’s the key: it all comes down to how you use it.
A hammer can build a house—or smash a window. AI is no different. Used well, it can be an incredible tool for learning, exploration, and creativity. Used poorly, it can become just another shortcut.
Let’s Wrangle the Robots Together
Like many parents, I didn’t dive into AI1 with a grand educational vision. My entry point was actually my work as a freelance copywriter. Before I ever introduced AI into our homeschool, I was using ChatGPT to streamline research, refine messaging, and even teach entrepreneurs how to write their own websites without sounding like robots.
Then I joined Brandon Hendrickson’s Learning in Depth program and experienced firsthand how AI could bring even the most seemingly dry topics to life2. It wasn’t long before these insights spilled over into our homeschool.
I started experimenting, guiding my two boys in using AI as a thinking partner rather than an answer machine.
And that’s when I realized: parents need practical, real-world examples of how to use AI well. Not just another theoretical discussion about the future of education, but an actual diary of how it plays out in a real learning environment.
Enter: The AI Diaries.
This series is my way of sharing what works (and what doesn’t) as we integrate AI into our homeschool.
I’ll take you behind the scenes with real prompts, real results, and real reflections.
No jargon. No overwhelm. Just a practical, curiosity-driven look at how AI can expand our children’s minds, not shrink them.
If you’re curious about how AI could enrich education, welcome. But you may be wondering if this series is really for you.
Who Is This For?
I write from the perspective of a homeschooling parent, but the insights in The AI Diaries reach far beyond the homeschooling world. If you want to help children think more deeply, engage creatively, and use AI as a tool for learning rather than a shortcut, you’re in the right place.
Homeschooling parents – If you’re looking for fresh ways to spark curiosity, encourage independent thinking, and guide your child toward producing creative, meaningful work, this series is for you.
Parents of traditionally schooled kids – If your child attends school but you want to enrich their education at home and help them use AI responsibly, you’ll find practical, real-world strategies here.
Educators, tutors, and mentors – If you’re a teacher, tutor, or lifelong learner curious about how AI can expand—not replace—education, this series will offer insights into how to integrate it meaningfully.
Whether you’re cautiously curious or fully onboard with AI in education, The AI Diaries is here to help you explore, experiment, and discover new ways to enrich the way your children (and you!) learn.
What The AI Diaries Will Explore
The AI Diaries isn’t about replacing traditional learning—it’s about enhancing it. And it’s certainly not about handing kids a screen for yet more passive consumption. Instead, it’s about using AI to ignite curiosity, deepen engagement, and inspire real-world exploration.
In some cases, AI plays a small but pivotal role — maybe sparking a question that sends us down a research rabbit hole or helping shape a creative project. The real magic happens away from the screen:
Burying our noses in books inspired by an AI-recommended title 📖
Dramatizing a story sparked by an AI-generated plot twist 🎭
Going on a treasure hunt after AI helps us design the clues 🏴☠️
Mapping a fantasy world based on an AI-assisted brainstorming session 🐦🔥
This series isn’t just a list of AI prompts—it’s a living record of how we’re integrating AI into our learning journey, complete with reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised us along the way.
Yes, I’ll share prompts, but you’ll likely find yourself tweaking them, adapting the approach to fit your child’s unique learning style. And I hope you’ll share your own experiences in the comments because we’re all on this wild learning adventure together.
More Than Just AI — A Lifelong Learning Mindset
At its core, this series isn’t just about AI — it’s about something much bigger: lifelong learning.
AI is simply one tool among many that I use in my own pursuit of knowledge, and I want my kids to see it the same way. My ultimate goal is to help them — and you — discover just how infinitely interesting the world can be.
To that end, I’ll also explore AI’s role in education more broadly, occasionally zooming out to reflect on the philosophy of learning in the digital age.
How Often Will These Posts Drop?
I’m aiming for one AI Diaries post per week — and stretching for two! Plus, I’ll be sharing Substack Notes in between for quick tips and ideas to extend the conversation.
What do you think?
I’ve gotta be honest — I’ve spent the weekend writing this post and the last two weeks conceptualizing this series.
Suffice to say, I’m ridiculously excited about this — like walking through a bookshop with an unlimited budget kind of excited. Or even as excited as my son when he heard Linkin Park had reunited.
And now, I’m on tenterhooks wondering… what do you think?!
So seriously, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Have you dabbled in AI for education yet? Are you excited, skeptical, or completely overwhelmed? Drop a comment and let’s talk about it — I hope this series can be a conversation, not just a monologue.
If this sounds like the kind of learning adventure you want to be part of, make sure you’re subscribed to Infinitely Interesting so you don’t miss a post.
And if you know other parents or educators who are curious (or cautious) about AI in education, feel free to share this with them — we’re all navigating this new terrain together.
Next up: How a simple AI-generated Mad Lib changed the way we do presentations in our homeschool. Stay tuned!
I want to keep this series light on technical terms, but when I say AI, I’m typically referring to Large Language Models (LLMs). My favorite is ChatGPT, but we also use Claude and Meta AI in our learning. If you’re confused about what these all are, please ask in the comments.
I got so deep into that program that Brandon asked me to be a mentor to the learners-in-depth the current cohort, which is currently running through May this year. So yeah, that keeps me out of mischief and extra-immersed in the world of AI in education!
This kind of practical examination is exactly the kind of post that parents and educators need. AI is going to play role in the future of education. A look at what it can and can't do, with an emphasis on real experiences, will be a great addition to a conversation so frequently dominated by hypotheticals and hype. I'm so excited for this series!