🚨 In a surprise to NOBODY, a study shows that generative AI use raises homework scores, but substantially reduces learning. My takeaways fo…

🚨 In a surprise to NOBODY, a study shows that generative AI use raises homework scores, but substantially reduces learning. My takeaways for AI ethicists and educators: The study analyzed data from 26,811 Chinese students in grades 7-12. AI use led to higher homework scores and reduced homework time (well, it's AI that is answering, it's certainly fast). However (and as expected), AI use lowered the students' performance on closed-book exams. The study also stated that the negative effects on learning outcomes appeared to be driven by the 81% of AI-using students who spend less time on homework than even the fastest non-AI student. In practice, this means these students were not really engaging with the homework but were merely copying and pasting AI outputs. In a more optimistic turn, the study shows that AI-using students who spent as much time as non-AI-using students doing homework scored similarly on closed-book exams. This means that even though these students were using AI, they were actually thinking through their homework and engaging with it. I like this study because it highlights questions that educators worldwide are having to engage with: 1. How to design homework and assignments that truly support intellectual development in the "age of AI" (i.e., when students can have quick access to AI tools); 2. How to design interesting and engaging homework and assignments that take into consideration the technological landscape without undermining learning. The questions above are only relevant for older students (such as those in this study), as, in my opinion, younger children should not be exposed to AI, as it will undermine learning without offering any tangible benefit. The study offers three potential paths to deal with these issues: - Providing information about the long-term learning costs of homework outsourcing (*I like that, and we don't see it broadly discussed; maybe because only now data is starting to come out). - Increasing the weight placed on closed-book, in-person assessments (*my guess is that it's already happening). - More monitoring of homework and school effort by parents and teachers (*easier said than done; it might create trust issues between educators and students). A super interesting paper. Congratulations to the authors! - 👉 I'm adding this paper as the 12th recommended paper of our AI Ethics Paper Club. To receive all my paper recommendations, you can join the club for free below. 👉 To stay up to date with AI's legal and ethical challenges, join my newsletter's 97,200+ subscribers (link below)

Source: Gary Marcus (X) | 2026-06-25