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Why Are Reading Skills Declining While AI Usage Explodes?
Based on recent research, AI tools are changing how students learn—and not always for the better. Here’s what the data shows about reading skills, learning depth, and academic honesty in our AI-powered world.
Reading Skills Are Dropping Fast
Adults across multiple countries are losing basic reading abilities. The 2023 PIAAC study—which tests adults on reading, math, and problem-solving—found troubling declines. In the United States, literacy scores fell by 12 points between 2017 and 2023, with nearly one in four adults now struggling to understand simple written messages. Germany faces similar challenges, where roughly 20 percent of adults—about 10.6 million people—cannot grasp basic written information. This drop happened across all education levels, meaning even college graduates saw their reading skills weaken.
AI Makes Learning Feel Easy But Leaves Minds Empty
When students use ChatGPT for research, they understand less than those who search the old way. A major study published in PNAS Nexus tested over 10,000 people and found a clear pattern. Those who relied on AI chatbots for summaries developed shallow knowledge, couldn’t recall specific facts, and repeated the same generic information as other AI users. Meanwhile, people who gathered information through traditional web searches built deeper understanding that actually stuck with them. The lesson is simple: real learning requires effort—reading sources, connecting ideas, and thinking through problems yourself.
Nearly 4 in 10 Students Submit AI-Written Work
College professors are catching students who cheat with AI, and the numbers are alarming. One professor discovered that 39 percent of submitted papers in an introductory course were at least partly AI-generated. UK universities report that roughly 1 in 5 students admit to using AI tools to cheat on assignments. Detection software often makes mistakes, leading to false accusations that stress innocent students. Some professors now build traps into assignments—hidden markers that only show up when students copy AI output without reading it.
Why This Matters for Everyone
People who skip the hard work of learning become less capable over time. Skills fade when we stop using them—whether that’s solving math problems, writing clearly, or understanding what we read. The next generation needs strong thinking abilities to handle complex jobs, spot fake information, and make good decisions. If students outsource their learning to AI, they graduate without the expertise society needs them to have.