A recent survey by the Pew Research Center reveals that an increasing number of teenagers are turning to ChatGPT, the AI chatbot created by OpenAI, for schoolwork. However, the findings also raise concerns about whether students fully understand the limitations of the technology.
The survey, which polled approximately 1,400 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17, found that 26% have used ChatGPT for homework or school assignments—double the percentage from two years ago. When asked about acceptable uses of the AI tool, 54% said it was fine for researching new topics, 29% approved of its use for solving math problems, and 18% believed it was acceptable for writing essays.
Despite its popularity, ChatGPT’s shortcomings make its growing use in education a cause for concern. For example, the AI model struggles with math and often provides unreliable information. A recent study examining whether advanced AI systems could pass a doctoral-level history exam found that ChatGPT’s accuracy barely exceeded random guessing. Moreover, the study highlighted specific weaknesses in areas like social mobility and Sub-Saharan African geopolitics, subjects that might be particularly relevant to some student demographics.
The survey also revealed that Black and Hispanic teens are more likely than white teens to rely on ChatGPT for school-related tasks, raising questions about equitable access to high-quality educational tools.
Research on ChatGPT’s impact in education has yielded mixed results. A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania found that Turkish high school students who used ChatGPT performed worse on a math test compared to those who did not. In another study, German students using ChatGPT were better at finding research materials but struggled to effectively synthesize the information.
Educators, too, have expressed divided opinions about AI tools in the classroom. In a separate survey conducted last year, a quarter of public K-12 teachers believed that AI like ChatGPT causes more harm than good in education. Another study by the Rand Corporation and the Center on Reinventing Public Education showed that only 18% of K-12 educators reported using AI tools in their teaching practices.
As AI tools like ChatGPT become more integrated into learning, it’s clear that while they may offer benefits, their limitations highlight the need for careful guidance and responsible use in educational settings.
