AI Homework Help Is Here to Stay: What Research Says It’s Doing to Student Learning

AI tools like ChatGPT are now a regular part of homework. Research shows that about 75% of students use AI to help with assignments, with many using it weekly or even daily. The real question for parents isn’t whether kids are using AI — it’s how that use is affecting learning.

1. AI Is Becoming a Normal Part of Students’ Academic Lives

Research consistently finds that teens are more familiar with and more likely to use AI tools for homework than just a year ago. For example, a Pew Research poll shows that the share of teens using tools like ChatGPT for schoolwork has about doubled over the past year.Encyclopedia Britannica

And educational coverage from APA Monitor reports that about 7 in 10 teens use generative AI tools primarily for homework help, citing psychologists and educators tracking the trend.American Psychological Association

These patterns suggest AI isn’t a flash in the pan — it’s now deeply embedded in how students approach assignments and study tasks.

2. Students Use AI for a Variety of Tasks — Not Just Answers

News reporting and research both make clear that students use AI for multiple academic purposes:

• Brainstorming and outlining ideas

• Revising or improving writing

• Getting explanations for tricky concepts

• Doing research or gathering sources

College Board research found that half of high school students use AI to help brainstorm, revise, or research for schoolwork — and 69% report using ChatGPT specifically for homework and assignments.College Board Newsroom

That means AI isn’t just a shortcut; it’s often a study aid students turn to when they’re stuck

3. Educators and Parents Are Worried About Critical Thinking

Despite its usefulness, educators and researchers worry that over-reliance on AI could weaken critical thinking and deep learning.

A recent news article from Business Insider highlights how one NYU professor used AI-facilitated oral exams when written work looked polished but lacked real understanding — showing that students often couldn’t verbally defend work they produced with AI help.Business Insider

Similarly, research reports note that students can misinterpret or accept AI-generated content without critical evaluation — compromising learning outcomes. Research published on arXiv, for example, found patterns suggesting that heavy AI use can correlate with lower performance on certain assessments, indicating learning may be hindered when students use AI as a shortcut rather than as a tool.arXiv

So what should you do?

As a parent myself, I think it's best to teach kids when to use it and when not to use it. Ensure they know how to research properly and use it when it is appropriate.

What do you think?

Rebecca Beard

B.S. Owner of Niceville Tutoring