Heavy AI use in studies linked to lower test scores, OECD report finds
OECD's PISA study finds students who use AI heavily for schoolwork score significantly lower than those who rarely use it.
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The use of artificial intelligence, or AI, in studies is rising fast. Whether it is homework, assignments or research questions, students are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for help with everything, big or small. But a new OECD report has flagged something that could worry students, parents and teachers alike. According to the report, students who use AI for schoolwork scored lower on tests than students who do not use it.
The report studied the performance of 15-year-old students. It found that students who never or rarely use AI to complete written assignments scored an average of 509 in the science test. Students who use AI help almost every day, on the other hand, scored an average of just 481. That is a gap of 28 points between the two groups. According to the report, this gap remained even after accounting for factors such as social and economic status. The OECD said the gap was equivalent to about one and a half years of schooling. In other words, finishing work quickly with AI's help does not necessarily mean better performance.
AI use is not limited to writing assignments. Students also use AI to gather basic information on new topics and to condense and understand textbook material. In these cases too, students who used AI more heavily were found to perform worse in comparison.
Andreas Schleicher, OECD's director for education and skills, made a key point about AI use. According to him, learning is effective only when a student tries to understand a subject, think about it and work through a problem on their own. If AI does all the work in the student's place, this entire learning process can weaken.
The report does not dismiss AI entirely, however. Instead, it advises students to use it the right way. AI can be used to understand a difficult topic, take examples, or improve preparation. But if a student starts depending on AI for every question, assignment and piece of research, it could affect their own ability to think and learn.
The report is based on OECD's PISA study, which assesses the maths, science and reading ability of 15-year-old students. This round of the study included more than 760,000 students from 91 countries, which is why the figures in the report are considered significant in the world of education. The report's message is clear: use AI, but do not let it replace your own thinking and effort.
