PISA Links Frequent AI Use With Lower Science Scores

One of the biggest challenges for education systems around the world is how to integrate artificial intelligence and digital learning tools in a way that benefits students and improves outcomes. Results from the OECD’s latest PISA study indicate that so far there may be a negative link between student performance and frequent AI use. The data shows that 15-year-old students who use AI almost every day to complete specific tasks, like writing or reading assignments, on average attain lower science scores than students who use AI less frequently or not at all. According to the study, the difference in average performance between heavy AI users and non-users is equivalent to one additional year of school, which is quite significant. Interestingly, the difference is less pronounced when AI is used for non-specific tasks, with those students who frequently use AI to “help them learn” even outperforming their AI-averse peers.

If used correctly, AI chatbots are incredibly strong educational tools that can help curious users of all ages, not just students, to learn new things at any level. Whether you want to learn how to bake bread, understand how a plane flies or finally solve that one math problem that's been tormenting you for weeks – AI tools are there to help. Overreliance on AI can, however, result in what experts call skill atrophy. “Use it or lose it” is the principle behind it, no matter if it’s a muscle that isn’t trained or a skill that isn’t used. This is even more true for young people, who are still in the process of acquiring skills for life.

To find the right balance between AI assistance and overreliance requires discipline and motivation to learn. A lazy student may benefit from AI in the short term, but in the long term it will likely harm his or her ability to solve problems without the help of technology. For students eager to learn and improve, AI is a powerful enabler, though. Going forward, it will be crucial for schools to teach AI literacy in order to enable students to understand the benefits and risks associated with these new tools and to help them unlock their full potential.