AI improves homework quality but lowers exam scores in student study

A large-scale study tracking nearly 27,000 students in China between January 2023 and June 2025 has revealed a significant discrepancy between homework quality and exam performance caused by generative artificial intelligence.

Students aged 12 to 18 who utilized AI tools, such as ByteDance’s Doubao or DeepSeek, saw an average 18% improvement in their homework scores. Additionally, the time required to complete assignments dropped from an average of 64 minutes to 45 minutes.

However, this efficiency did not translate to academic mastery. The study found that students using AI performed 20% worse on exams compared to the control group that did not use the technology. The findings suggest that while AI helps students complete tasks more quickly and with higher apparent quality, it may be hindering actual learning and comprehension.