PARIS: Students who use artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for educational tasks may perform worse than those who complete their work without relying on the technology, according to a new study released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The OECD education report examined the impact of AI technology on students’ ability to learn and retain information. Researchers compared the science test performance of students who did not use AI with that of 484 students who used AI chatbots for their academic work.
Students who stayed away from AI recorded an average score of 509, compared with 481 among those who used chatbots. The 28-point gap remained consistent over a period of about 18 months, according to the findings.
Similar patterns were observed when students used AI for other educational activities, including researching unfamiliar topics and preparing summaries after reading study material.
Researchers said effective learning does not necessarily depend on memorizing information. Instead, actively struggling with and engaging with new material can help the brain develop a deeper understanding of a subject.
The researchers cautioned that AI should be used as a temporary support rather than a substitute for students’ own thinking and learning efforts. Excessive dependence on AI could weaken the mental effort required for meaningful learning, potentially creating problems in education.