"Why Top Students' Grades Drop Sharply: The Side Effects of AI Learning"

Study Tracking 26,811 Middle and High School Students

Homework Scores Rise by About 18%

Average Test Scores Drop by 20% Within Six Months

As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more widespread, a study from China has found that students with higher academic performance may experience more severe negative side effects the more they rely on AI.

On September 15, the Chinese current affairs weekly Renwu reported an interview with Yanfei Wu, professor of economics at the University of Hong Kong, stating, "Many people rely on the convenience and efficiency of AI, but rarely consider its costs."

Study Tracking 26,811 Middle and High School Students

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Professor Wu, together with Professor David Stromberg of Stockholm University, Sweden, tracked 26,811 students from central China over a period of three years to analyze how AI usage affects students' long-term learning abilities.

The research found that while students who used AI to complete their homework saw their assignment scores rise by about 18% in the short term, their monthly test scores dropped on average by 20% within six months. Even more concerning, after two years, their high school entrance exam scores (Zhongkao) dropped by up to 24% and their national university entrance exam scores (Gaokao) fell by as much as 18%.

The researchers defined this as "AI learning side effects (penalties)." Professor Wu pointed out that while using AI is a personal choice, in the long run it diminishes not only test scores, but also the analytical skills, perseverance, and curiosity essential for students to develop by working through problems on their own. He said, "There are learning outcomes that are developed by doing homework, but when students use AI instead, their analytical thinking skills, which are acquired through repeated practice, decline."

Side Effects More Pronounced Among Top-Performing Students

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In particular, male students saw their scores decline by about 17% more than female students, and the side effects—including a dramatic drop in scores—were especially pronounced among high-performing students. The study also revealed that students from low-income backgrounds tended to use AI for homework more frequently, while students from wealthier backgrounds found emotional comfort from AI. In addition, Professor Wu explained that there are differences depending on when students start using AI and how extensively they rely on it.

Professor Wu emphasized, "When students become addicted to the comfort provided by AI, they eventually reach a point where they cannot solve problems independently without AI support. This is not an issue that can be addressed solely through technological advancement; it requires the involvement of schools, families, and society as a whole."

He added, "As AI adoption becomes widespread, many educators have observed declines in students' reasoning and critical thinking skills after using AI," stressing the need for ongoing research regarding how serious and widespread these negative effects are.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.