In a research methods unit, students were introduced to AI and encouraged to use it for their research proposals. They found AI useful for exploring concepts and refining their work, despite initial concerns about being perceived as cheating. This open-ended approach aimed to educate and motivate students to engage with AI, building confidence and enhancing understanding. It demonstrates a flexible model for integrating AI into education, suitable for various contexts but with caution in high-stakes, unsupervised assessments.