PISA report shows high AI usage among students in Portugal and Brazil

The 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report by the OECD reveals significant trends in how 15-year-old students in Portugal and Brazil utilize artificial intelligence for education.

In Portugal, 48% of students use AI chatbots to assist with learning, including conducting initial research, creating summaries, and writing texts. This figure is slightly higher than the OECD average of 46%. The report also notes that Portuguese students spend more time on digital devices for leisure than the OECD average, while also reporting higher rates of digital distraction during science classes.

In Brazil, nearly half of 15-year-old students use AI tools at least once a week. Approximately 31% use them to summarize texts, aligning with the international average. However, the data suggests a complex relationship between technology and academic success. Students who use AI for specific tasks like summarizing or researching showed, on average, lower science scores—by about 20 points—compared to those who did not use the technology for those activities.

The OECD emphasizes that AI should serve as a support tool for personalized feedback and practice rather than a replacement for active learning and cognitive effort. The report warns that excessive use can lead to digital distraction and diminished academic performance.