Overview
- The OECD released the PISA 2025 results this week showing average reading, math and science scores fell and that students who use AI for schoolwork generally score lower in science by about 20 points, roughly one year of schooling.
- The relationship between AI and learning is complex: students who use AI to summarize texts or draft assignments tend to do worse, while those who use AI for broad research or weekly learning and who receive school instruction on assessing AI perform about the same or slightly better.
- PISA surveyed more than 760,000 15-year-olds across 91 countries, making this the first large international measure of student AI use and classroom AI practices at scale.
- The report raises equity concerns because socioeconomically advantaged students report greater access to AI tools and more classroom guidance, risking an 'AI divide' that could widen existing gaps.
- Policymakers and districts are responding with mixed approaches including phone limits, bans, AI-use restrictions and pilots, and expanded AI-literacy lessons aimed at preserving deep reading, critical thinking and classroom focus.