Does leaning on AI tools for schoolwork weaken students' ability to think for themselves?
A study reported on October 13, 2026 found that using AI for as little as 10 minutes can erode a person's ability to persist at difficult tasks.
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The modern version of Thoth's lament
It very much depends on how it's used, I think. If used to coach and tailor the learning, that's hugely valuable. If used to replace the thinking and struggle to learn, that's obviously bad. My worry is that most kids (and for that matter, many adults) don't have the self-discipline to draw that line. Even for those who do, it's easy to get lazy. This is going to be a real challenge for schools and humanity, for sure. My hope is that whatever brain cycles we save using AI we reinvest in ways that bring greater value and fulfillment. Maybe in personal relationships?
Did calculators weaken students' ability to do arithmetic? Why yes they did. But not in ways that made much difference. I find it amusing when clerks can't make change in their heads, but it hasn't resulted in a crisis of civilization. AI is different. It is a wonderful aid in producing better work. I use it often for research and proofreading. It is a debilitating crutch when used to do the work for you.