Study: Young users (9 to 18Y) ditch Google for AI, with unknown consequences
A literature review of nearly 200 studies indicates that generative AI has a dual effect on children's learning, potentially both strengthening and weakening critical thinking skills. Researchers emphasize that the technology itself is neutral, and its impact depends on how it is integrated into educational practices.
Why it matters
As AI becomes ubiquitous in classrooms, understanding its cognitive impact on developing minds is critical for educators and policymakers.
School researchers reviewed nearly 200 studies on how artificial intelligence affects children and young people’s ability to learn and think. They found that we know very little about how AI use impacts younger school children.
In brief Researchers wanted to find out how AI tools affect students' critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. They analysed 173 international studies that had looked at the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in school and education.
Storrøsæter has analysed 173 international research articles on the use of generative artificial intelligence (machine learning techniques where the goal is not only to analyse data, but also to create new data, for example in the form of text, images, audio, video or programming code. The most widespread use of generative AI is through chatbots, such as ChatGPT) in school work and education. Her study was conducted with a group of colleagues from Czech universities.
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