Is AI helping students learn or letting them skip the thinking? 9 Investigates

Students are using artificial intelligence to study, write and complete homework. But when does help become a shortcut that keeps them from learning?University of Florida professor Dr. Maya Israel says the answer depends partly on how the technology is used.“These tools are so powerful they can be used both to support learning, but they can also be used to have kids bypass critical thinking,” Israel told 9 Investigates’ Alexa Lorenzo.Florida’s State Board of Education adopted new AI rules in September, emphasizing that the technology should support teachers and students rather than replace human instruction.Answers students can’t explainIsrael helped launch Florida’s K-12 AI Education Task Force to develop recommendations for classroom use, including how schools choose tools and prepare teachers.She says research is still catching up with the technology.“We don’t necessarily know how AI is going to affect students’ critical thinking, mental health, relationships,” Israel said.Teacher a