Kathmandu— Artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into classrooms around the world, but its impact on student learning varies based on how students use it. A recent study by David Stromberg of Stockholm University and Victor Lei and Yanhui Wu of the University of Hong Kong tracked about 27,000 Chinese students aged 12 to 18 over 30 months. The results showed that while AI significantly improved homework scores and reduced completion time, it led to a decline in exam performance.

Study Findings

The study found that after adopting generative AI for homework, students' scores rose by 18 percent, with the average time spent on each assignment falling from 64 minutes to 45 minutes. However, when these same students took monthly exams without AI assistance, their scores dropped by 20 percent within six months. The decline in performance was also evident in high-stakes entrance exams over a longer period.

OECD's Perspective

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) echoed these findings in its Digital Education Outlook 2026, noting that when generative AI is not used under any structured guidance, it improves performance without fostering real learning gains. This phenomenon has been described as 'metacognitive laziness' by researchers like Dragan Gasevic.

Student Usage Patterns

A survey conducted by Ipsos for the Vodafone Foundation among 7,000 European students aged 12 to 17 revealed that while 56 percent used AI to get information and 45 percent had terms explained to them, 31 percent relied on it for complete solutions. Fewer students utilized interactive or adaptive content (29 percent) or personalized learning plans (20 percent).

Impact Beyond Academics

The HEPI/Kortext Student Generative AI Survey of 1,054 full-time undergraduates in the UK found that 49 percent believed AI improved their student experience by saving time and providing better understanding. However, when asked about loneliness, most students (59 percent) felt no difference, while 21 percent reported feeling less lonely and 20 percent more.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.