Study finds generative AI has mixed effect on youth critical thinking and problem solving
Researchers led by Hilde Storrøsæter reviewed 173 international studies on generative AI in education. They concluded that AI tools alone do not strengthen or weaken students' critical‑thinking or problem‑solving abilities. The review noted that most evidence comes from self‑reported, regionally imbalanced studies, with 80% of participants being university students rather than children.
Key points
- Review of 173 international studies found AI tools alone do not strengthen or weaken critical thinking or problem‑solving.
- Norwegian data show Google search use dropped from 72% (2024) to 47% (2026) while AI use rose to 39% among 11‑12‑year‑olds.
- 80% of studies involve university students; research is geographically skewed, with 28 studies in Asia and few in Africa or South America.
A Norwegian Media Authority survey shows Google search usage among 9‑ to 18‑year‑olds fell from 72% in 2024 to 47% in 2026, while 39% of 11‑ to 12‑year‑olds now use AI tools. Traffic to the youth portal ung.no dropped from 24 million visits in 2024 to 18 million in 2025, partly due to AI‑generated answers. The literature review found 139 studies on critical thinking – 67 reported only positive effects, 33 only negative, and 39 mixed – and 103 studies on problem solving – 57 positive only, 23 negative only, and 23 mixed.
The authors highlight three knowledge gaps: limited research on children and youths, reliance on self‑reporting, and a geographic bias toward Asia and Europe. They argue teacher education must teach both how to use AI critically and how to guide pupils in using AI as a tool rather than a shortcut, to avoid widening learning disparities.
Study: Young users (9 to 18Y) ditch Google for AI, with unknown consequences
norwegianscitechnews.com · 22 September 2026
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Coverage and discussion
3sources- Hacker News discussion · 46 pointsnews.ycombinator.com
- How to stay smart in the age of AI: the science of critical thinkingPrimary source · Nature Machine Learning ·
- Does Using AI Make You Dumber? — Asking Claude and ChatGPT 'How Do You See Me?'Press · note.com ·
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