Generative AI impact on student learning and retention

Research into the impact of generative artificial intelligence on education reveals a complex relationship between AI usage and long-term knowledge retention. A 2025 randomized study involving 120 students found that those using ChatGPT as a learning aid scored lower on knowledge tests 45 days later, achieving 57.5 percent compared to 68.5 percent for the group that studied without AI. Researchers attribute this to a reduction in the cognitive effort required for long-term memory.

However, other studies present a different perspective. Meta-analyses published in 2025 and 2026 suggest that ChatGPT can actually improve academic performance and certain complex cognitive abilities. The findings indicate a paradox: while AI can help individuals complete tasks more effectively, it may simultaneously reduce the depth of actual learning. This creates a risk where productivity increases, but users may lack the fundamental understanding necessary to verify or manage the systems they rely on.