Is AI Making Students Lazy? What Educators Need to Know (Part 1)

The Concern: Is AI in Education Leading Students to Outsource Their Thinking?

Teachers are seeing a sharp rise in students using ChatGPT and other AI tools for homework and essays.

Recent numbers highlight the trend:

• 4 in 10 college students admit using AI for schoolwork, and most say they have never been caught.

• Turnitin flagged 22 million papers with at least 20% AI-generated content in early 2024.

Educators worry that students may:

• Skip the effort needed to truly learn

• Lose practice with writing, problem-solving, and critical thinking

• Overestimate their understanding because AI “does the work” for them

One teacher reported that his students had “grown to depend on AI” for outlining and writing essays, making it “nearly impossible” to assess their actual skills.

What the Research Shows About AI in Education

Studies are beginning to confirm these concerns:

• A 2025 study found greater AI use was linked to lower academic self-confidence and slightly lower GPAs.

• MIT research revealed that students who leaned heavily on AI performed worse on later assignments and put in less effort overall.
  

The Real Impact

Generative AI can instantly produce essays, solve math problems, and summarize readings. For students who are busy or overwhelmed, the temptation to outsource work to AI is strong.

But genuine learning comes from wrestling with problems, forming ideas, and making mistakes. Skipping those steps can gradually erode the skills students need most.

Educators are now facing a central challenge: How can they keep students engaged in authentic learning when AI can do the work faster?

Key Takeaway

AI is already reshaping how students learn. Without clear guidance and updated teaching strategies, over-reliance on AI risks weakening essential skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent analysis.

Up Next: In Part 2, we’ll explore how AI can be used as a positive learning tool—and how educators can encourage its productive, skill-building use while avoiding the pitfalls of over-dependence.