The global debate on the impact of AI in education is intensifying: some see AI as a trigger for learning laziness. In contrast, others see great potential in enriching students’ learning experience.
The Argument: Is AI Making Students Mentally Lazy?
Research suggests that relying too heavily on AI may cause “metacognitive laziness”—the tendency to let machines think instead of engaging the brain.
A study done by MIT involving tracking of participants writing essays in four sessions revealed the following:
Brain-only users were found to be the most active in their brains. ChatGPT users were the least cognitively active. The term “metacognitive laziness” was introduced to describe this phenomenon.
Moreover, studies by Australia/MIT indicate that users of AI experience deterioration of critical thinking abilities, reduced power of attention, and the inability to remember information created.
Another study on ResearchGate supports this claim: “AI is the main cause of students’ laziness … Students get too lazy to open books or journals.”
On the scholarly front, Ju et al. (2023) revealed that using AI as a sole tool of writing work resulted in a drop in accuracy levels by 25.1%. In contrast, AI support to reading reduced the accuracy levels by approximately 12% (arXiv).
The Counterpoint: How AI Enhances Learning Efficiency
In contrast, a meta-analysis of 51 studies from 2022 to early 2025 showed that the use of AI, especially ChatGPT, had a significant positive impact on learning achievement (g = 0.867), perception of learning, and higher-order thinking skills.
Multi-country research (China, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Poland) reveals that AI, when used as an adaptive tutor, boosts learning efficiency, self-motivation, and engagement.
One study in Germany showed that the use of an AI tutor (Syntea) can reduce average learning time by 27% without reducing the quality of learning outcomes (arXiv).
Studies on pair programming with AI also show positive results on student motivation and academic performance, especially in programming and STEM.
Experts Weigh In: Is AI Helping or Hurting Education?
Jen-Hsun “Jensen” Huang, CEO and Co-founder of NVIDIA Corporation, sees AI as a tool that will revolutionize education by providing unprecedented personalization.
“AI can tailor content to individual needs and enhance learning efficiency,” stated Huang in his interview in The Times of India.
As the leader of one of the pioneering companies in GPU development and generative AI, Huang’s views reflect optimism towards the role of AI as an intelligence amplifier, not just a replacement for teachers.
However, a critical voice comes from Dr. Ramine Tinati, Associate Professor of Web and Internet Science at the University of Southampton, UK. In the same interview, Tinati warned that AI might become a crutch, reducing critical thinking and making students passive consumers of information.
Tinati, who focuses on the ethics of technology and the social impact of digital systems, cautions that authentic learning still requires reflection and active cognition-something that risks being lost if students rely too heavily on AI assistance.
Meanwhile, Afnan Wasif, a social science major, in his article in the Financial Times, sees AI as an enabler of analytical thinking.
When AI Helps—and When It Hurts: The Key Is Balance
When used as a tool and thinking companion, AI is proven to increase efficiency, interest in learning, and analytical power.
However, if it becomes the primary focus and source of quick answers, risks such as superficial thinking, dependency, and a lack of deep understanding remain high.
The effectiveness of AI depends on how it is integrated into the learning process: 4-8 weeks of use as a tutor or discussion tool is more effective than passive use as an answer generator.
AI isn’t inherently harmful or helpful – it’s how we use it that determines the outcome.
Like any tool, AI can either sharpen or dull the mind. Used intentionally – with educator guidance and student reflection – it holds the power to transform learning for the better.
