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Daily Read: AI

AI use linked to lower student test scores

A recent OECD educational report reveals that students using artificial intelligence for schoolwork generally perform worse in science than those who do not. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study, which analyzed data from 760,000 students across 91 countries, indicates that the impact of AI depends heavily on how the technology is applied. Students who use AI for tasks like summarizing texts or drafting assignments tend to see lower academic results. Conversely, those who use the tools for preliminary research or general learning purposes show a smaller decline in performance. Interestingly, the data suggests that moderate, intentional use can actually benefit learners, particularly when they are taught to critically evaluate the accuracy of AI-generated content. OECD director Andreas Schleicher noted that learning requires a productive cognitive struggle that technology can either enhance or undermine. The report also highlighted a digital divide, noting that AI use is more prevalent among students from advantaged backgrounds. While daily AI users showed higher levels of curiosity, this trait has not yet translated into improved academic grades.

· The Verge

The essential points

  1. 01OECD data shows students using AI for drafting and summarizing often score lower in science than non-users.
  2. 02Regular AI users who are trained to critically assess tool outputs can actually outperform students who do not use AI.
  3. 03The study found that frequency of use matters, with weekly or monthly users performing better than daily or rare users.
  4. 04Higher AI adoption rates were observed among students from advantaged backgrounds with better access to hardware and paid tools.
The full brief

A recent OECD educational report reveals that students using artificial intelligence for schoolwork generally perform worse in science than those who do not. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study, which analyzed data from 760,000 students across 91 countries, indicates that the impact of AI depends heavily on how the technology is applied.

Students who use AI for tasks like summarizing texts or drafting assignments tend to see lower academic results. Conversely, those who use the tools for preliminary research or general learning purposes show a smaller decline in performance. Interestingly, the data suggests that moderate, intentional use can actually benefit learners, particularly when they are taught to critically evaluate the accuracy of AI-generated content.

OECD director Andreas Schleicher noted that learning requires a productive cognitive struggle that technology can either enhance or undermine. The report also highlighted a digital divide, noting that AI use is more prevalent among students from advantaged backgrounds. While daily AI users showed higher levels of curiosity, this trait has not yet translated into improved academic grades.