#Learningculture

A recent MIT-led study has ignited a global conversation about the cognitive impact of artificial intelligence (AI) use in education, warning that reliance on tools like ChatGPT could erode students’ ability to engage in deep, critical thinking and retain ownership of their ideas. The research, which has gained notable attention in international and Thai education circles, strikes at the heart of a rapidly growing dilemma—as AI-generated writing becomes easier and more prevalent, could it make us, in effect, intellectually lazier and less capable over time? (NYT)

A recent MIT-led study is fueling global debate on AI’s role in learning. As tools like ChatGPT become easier to use, concerns grow that students may rely on AI at the expense of deep understanding and retention. Thai educators and policymakers are watching closely as AI-assisted writing becomes more common in schools.

In the MIT experiment, 54 students wrote essays under three conditions: independent thinking, traditional search, and generative AI assistance. Essays produced with AI showed precise references but a strikingly uniform argument and structure. Notably, only 17% of AI-assisted students could accurately quote their own work later, while those in traditional and search groups demonstrated stronger recall. The study suggests AI might outsource cognitive effort, leaving comprehension behind.