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The use of AI tools in the category of deep language models, such as ChatGPT, has spread among students of all ages and educational levels.
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The uses of such models vary, from explaining or summarizing academic material to answering questions that students struggle with.
But what is the impact of the use of artificial intelligence on students at different educational levels? Is it positive or negative?
The study, conducted by researchers at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning at the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, as well as the Data 61 Centre of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia, attempts to answer these questions.
Study Criteria
The study relied on Gert Pipsta's educational methodology to test the impact of AI models on the educational process and the students who use them.
This methodology measures three different criteria to measure the quality and efficiency of education:
Efficiency: This criterion refers to the mechanism of acquiring knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Social Engagement: Measures a student's ability to integrate into cultural and social communities and learn collaboratively.
Individual Capabilities: Measures a student's ability as an independent individual capable of making decisions on their own and assuming responsibility.
The study then conducted a meta-analysis of more than 133 separate and independent studies. These studies included 188 experiments between 2022 and 2025, covering various educational levels, from higher education to regular schools and, in some studies, kindergartens.
The study primarily selected the ChatGPT model, as it was used in 87% of the total experiments included in the study.
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A Positive Impact on Educational Efficiency
The study results concluded that the use of AI models had a clear and significant positive impact on the efficiency of education and the quality of the process itself.
This means that students who relied on AI models demonstrated higher achievement rates than those who used AI tools as a personal tutor with whom they could converse.
These results were also more evident when students found a clear framework for using AI tools to achieve the desired results and understand what was required of them.
The study also found a positive impact on social interaction among students. However, this impact depended largely on the mechanism of AI use, as the tools encouraged students to sit together and discuss commands and their outcomes.
However, the impact of AI on developing self-efficacy was generally lower, and while the overall impact was positive, it was less significant than other tools.
This is understandable because AI makes scientific decisions and follows different approaches without consulting students.
Is the Impact of AI Positive?
It is impossible to say conclusively whether AI has a positive or negative impact, as it clearly depends on the individual's use of AI.
In this study, students relied on AI to serve as a teaching assistant, explaining what they didn't understand. However, if the opposite were to happen, and students relied on AI to perform their own tasks without attempting to understand the lessons required of them, this impact would be significantly negative.
The research reinforces the importance of providing appropriate support and flexible assessment mechanisms, as technology-savvy students benefit more from AI technologies than others, regardless of educational level.
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