AI Effects in Learning

While the negative impacts of AI reliance may seem daunting, implementing AI literacy seminars regarding data privacy and ethical biases in schools , educators spreading awareness about AI's limitations and teaching how to use AI as a supporting tool rather than a full replacement can help to counteract these challenges. Many schools face challenges regarding how AI tools handle user data and often generate biased or inaccurate information. However by hosting AI literacy seminars for students, schools can provide students with the foundational understanding about data privacy and ethical biases of these tools, so they can “ensure that AI contributes positively to students' learning (Reoli).When students learn about AI literacy, it enables them to know proper and ethical use of these tools. These skills can help them to use these tools in an educational setting to benefit themselves in an ethical and safe way without compromising their critical thinking skills.In addition, many students blindly rely on AI due to the lack of awareness regarding its negative effects. Educators must actively spread awareness about these potential effects from overreliance by teaching students to approach these tools with healthy skepticism through fact-checking AI- generated data against reliable primary sources (Ros -Jimenez). Training students to question AI- generated solutions forces them to exercise their own analytical and evaluating skills consistently, such as identifying inaccuracies in an AI- generated text. This approach directly counteracts the decline in cognitive abilities of students by keeping students aware of the limitations of these tools.Lastly, AI can be integrated into academic tasks as a supporting asset rather than a complete replacement by the promotion of study tools that use AI as a part of students’ learning. For instance, incorporating digital tools like Quizlet’s AI flashcard generator alongside traditional study habits, AI can effectively help students to navigate school work (Reoli).Establishing AI as an assistant tool rather than a shortcut, students are encouraged to combine their critical thinking skills with AI instead of letting the AI tool do these tasks for them. This balance provides ensures a neutral educational pathway that preserves the cognitive abilities of students. 

Work cited: 

Gerlich, Michael. "AI Tools in Society: Impacts on Cognitive Offloading and the Future of Critical Thinking." Societies, vol. 15, no. 1, Jan. 2025, p. NA(NA). Gale Academic OneFile, dx.doi.org/10.3390/soc15010006. Accessed 13 May 2026. 

Reoli, Rachel, et al. "Student Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Doctor of Physical Therapy Education." Physiotherapy Theory & Practice, vol. 41, no. 10, 1 Oct. 2025, pp. 2112–17. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2025.2496978.Accessed 13 May 2026. 

Rosas-Jimenez, Carlos Alberto, et al. “Trust and Overreliance on ChatGPT and Its Implications on Critical Thinking”: An Exploration in Health Policy. Biomed Central Ltd., 15 Feb. 2026. Gale, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A875070030/GPS?u=chan44144e&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=74941208. Accessed 12 May 2026.

Thiangtham, Koravick, et al. "The Impact of AI Literacy on Undergraduate Autonomous Learning: EJEL." Electronic Journal of E-Learning, vol. 24, no. 2, 2026, pp. 32-46. ProQuest, https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/impact-ai-literacy-on-undergraduate-autonomous/docview/3313703439/se-2, doi:https://doi.org/10.34190/ejel.24.2.4188.Accessed 13 May 2026. 

Zhai, Chunpeng, et al. "The Effects of Over-Reliance on AI Dialogue Systems on Students' Cognitive Abilities: A Systematic Review." Smart Learning Environments, vol. 11, no. 1, Dec. 2024. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A798244219/AONE?u=chan44144e&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=cf5ef757. Accessed 12 May 2026.