Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance children’s task performance in school but poses risks to genuine learning, according to the OECD. While AI tools like Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT can improve results, they may lead to a lack of metacognitive effort, fostering laziness and disengagement. Research indicates that reliance on general-purpose AI chatbots can diminish mental effort vital for understanding concepts, especially when access to these tools is removed during assessments. Conversely, educationally-focused AI can promote lasting learning gains and assist inexperienced teachers in enhancing educational quality. The OECD recommends selective deployment of AI in classrooms to enrich learning instead of substituting cognitive effort. The goal should be to cultivate independent thinking and essential skills across all subjects. Studies show that AI can create superficial knowledge compared to traditional research methods, emphasizing the importance of maintaining human connections in education. By strategically integrating AI, schools can maximize its benefits while preserving meaningful learning experiences.
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