Kayla Blake
On Nov. 30, 2022, ChatGPT was released to the public; five days later, it had attracted 1 million users. Since then, AI tools and chatbots have grown rapidly in popularity, according to OpenAI.
Generative AI tools are increasingly relevant to schools, where students and educators may encounter them for writing, tutoring, planning, accessibility and assessment. A February 2026 JAMA Network Open study of 6,488 U.S. youths ages 4 to 17 found that 31.9% had accessed generative AI apps on their devices.
According to Boston University, AI tools moved into daily use faster than any other educational technology in recent memory. Students now use AI tools for anything from drafting essays and summarizing readings to working through math problems. AI is reshaping educational practice and debate.
According to The Phoenix School, classroom instruction for elementary and middle school children lays the foundation for lifelong success. As AI becomes more common in educational settings, researchers and educators must examine how the technology may affect young students.
The Brookings Institution published a report on a year-long study on June 5, 2026, that drew on interviews, focus groups and consultations with more than 500 students, teachers and parents from 50 countries. The study examined potential risks, benefits,and recommendations. Ultimately, Brookings concluded that “the risks of utilizing generative AI in children’s education overshadow its benefits.”
The researchers found that overreliance on AI tools can put children’s fundamental learning capacity at risk. The report warns that overdependence can undermine learning when AI replaces rather than supports students’ thinking.
Rather than working through math problems, students can use chatbots to complete their assignments. For example, an unnamed student interviewed by Brookings researchers described AI as easy to use because “you don’t need to [use] your brain.”
One expert consulted for the report compared AI to “the fast food of education,” reflecting concern that convenience can displace deeper learning.
AI tools and chatbots are not solely viewed in a negative light. For example, the University of San Diego highlighted how both can enhance and modernize education.
With sound educator oversight, AI can personalize learning to help students learn and progress at their own pace. This could make classroom learning more accessible and tailored for each student — especially for students with special needs.
In an interview with WKYC, Shawn Braxton, executive director of IT customer excellence for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, said AI can help teachers assign work for students to “grow at their own pace.” He said he sees AI technology as beneficial for students’ futures.
According to the Harvard University Center for Education Policy Research, students are significantly further behind than they were a decade ago, partially because of the pandemic.
Some educators and researchers have suggested that AI tools could provide additional support for struggling students, although the effectiveness of those tools remains an area of study. The University of San Diego states that personalized learning can help students push their education further.
Another criticism of AI is that it affects creative spark. A 2025 study by researchers Christian Terwiesch, Lennart Meincke and Gideon Nave found that ChatGPT reduces diverse ideas, flattens creativity, and hinders innovation. In 37 of 45 comparisons, ideas produced by participants using ChatGPT were significantly less diverse than those produced through other methods.
Terwiesch argued that relying on ChatGPT as a sole creative advisor will leave you out of ideas because they will be almost the exact same.
Longtime Cleveland educator and former member of the State Board of Education of Ohio Meryl Johnson also expressed concerns about AI’s effect on student writing. Johnson said that after teaching English for 40 years, “it breaks my heart that students won’t have a chance to become great writers.” She said that “writing is an art, and because of AI, we are going to have so many people who don’t know the art of writing.”
Overall, artificial intelligence presents both potential benefits and concerns for young learners. Research has raised concerns that overreliance on AI may affect cognitive development and reduce idea diversity. On the other hand, AI can help advance students’ education.
Educators and parents can decide how they will help this new generation of learners mitigate AI risks. The Brookings Institution published a list of recommendations to help families and schools navigate the rise of AI in education. It suggests that students, educators, and families build knowledge and establish how students will interact with AI.
If parents and educators are uninformed about this new technology, students may use it improperly. The Brookings Institution also recommends implementing safeguards to protect cognitive development and prevent overreliance.
This research suggests parents and teachers need to take a more active role in setting boundaries and expectations so young students can use AI to learn and grow into the next generation of scholars and leaders.
Kayla Blake is a recent graduate of George Washington University.
