Students Using AI for Schoolwork Show Weaker Skills: Study
Mian Nadeem
Published September 08, 2026 | 08:09 PM
A research report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights the impact of AI technology on children’s learning abilities.
The study compared science test scores of students who avoided AI with those who used AI chatbots. It found that students who steered clear of AI achieved an average score of 509, while those who utilized chatbots scored 481—a difference of 28 points. This gap remained consistent over a period of one and a half years.
Similar trends were observed in other AI-related tasks like researching new topics and summarizing reading material. Researchers emphasized that learning involves more than memorization; active mental engagement is crucial for comprehension.
They suggested that AI technology should be employed as temporary support rather than a crutch, allowing students to benefit from its assistance while still relying on their own cognitive abilities to progress in education. The researchers also warned against excessive reliance on AI, which could lead to unforeseen problems.
This study builds upon previous research conducted in 2022 when AI technology was rapidly gaining popularity.
