How does AI affect how we learn? A cognitive psychologist explains why you learn when the work is hard

Chatbots can facilitate ‘cognitive offloading,’ or taking shortcuts when learning. But emerging research on AI and cognitive science shows that learning is like a workout.

By: Brian W. Stone, Boise State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 12, 2026

Words: 1,429

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Brian W. Stone, Boise State University

When OpenAI released “study mode” in July 2025, the company touted ChatGPT’s educational benefits. “When ChatGPT is prompted to teach or tutor, it can significantly improve academic performance,” the company’s vice president of education told reporters at the product’s launch. But any dedicated teacher would be right to wonder: Is this just marketing, or does scholarly research really support such claims?

While generative AI tools are moving …

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