Students & AI

The possible uses of artificial intelligence in K-12 are constantly evolving—see how students are using AI now
An Oregon middle schooler uses a laptop in school. Parents in Portland are seeking ways to cut down on device use during class on Sept. 4, 2026.
Middle school students in Portland, Ore., use laptops for a classroom lesson on Sept. 4, 2026. A new Harvard resource provides recommendations on age-appropriate use of artificial intelligence in education.
Mark Graves/The Oregonian via TNS
Artificial Intelligence Harvard Taps 5,000 Studies to Show How AI Helps or Hinders Learning
AI’s effects on learning can differ depending on a child's age and what skills they’re developing.
Lauraine Langreo, November 12, 2026
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5 min read
Wed., November 11, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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Collage image of a teen in front of a computer with speech bubbles overlaying the screen.
Collage by Laura Baker/Education Week + Getty
Artificial Intelligence Q&A Students Who Turn to AI for Emotional Support Report Worse Mental Health
Some student uses of AI are associated with worse mental health and well-being outcomes.
Lauraine Langreo, November 10, 2026
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5 min read
collage of a brain shape made from circuits under a light.
Collage by Laura Baker/Education Week + Getty
Artificial Intelligence Is AI Good or Bad for Learning? The Answer Isn't So Simple
A review of emerging research found that some use cases are more promising than others—but almost all offered caveats.
Sarah Schwartz, November 10, 2026
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6 min read
Google signage during a content capture event in New York, US, on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. Alphabet Inc.'s Google introduced its latest smartphone lineup, bringing subtle hardware and design improvements at a moment when Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. will both be promoting flashier foldable designs leading into the holiday quarter.
Google promotes its name during a technology event in New York City on Aug. 10, 2026. A new lawsuit claims a 13-year-old student used a Chromebook and Google's Gemini chatbot to generate problematic responses about her mental health.
Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Artificial Intelligence Lawsuit Blames a School-Issued Chromebook for Student’s Mental Health Crisis
The Chromebook was used to get feedback from an AI chatbot about mental health concerns.
Jennifer Vilcarino, November 6, 2026
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4 min read
In this photo illustration, a teenager uses her mobile phone to access social media on January 31, 2024 in New York City. Technology executives appeared at a Senate hearing to address accusations that their companies are endangering children's lives by not adequately policing predators and others who seek to harm and exploit young social media users.
In this photo illustration, a teenager uses her mobile phone to access social media on Jan. 31, 2024 in New York City. Experts say schools need specific policies for AI-generated "deepfakes."
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
School Climate & Safety From Our Research Center Fake AI Images Are Targeting Students and Teachers. Schools Aren't Prepared
New data show that many educators aren't well-versed on the risk of deepfakes.
Olina Banerji, November 4, 2026
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5 min read
The Google logo is seen on a building in New York, Oct. 27, 2025.
The Google logo is displayed on a building in New York on Oct. 27, 2025. The tech company plans to make big changes to Google Classroom that could affect schools that are trying to restrict the use of artificial intelligence.
Gene J. Puskar/AP
Artificial Intelligence Google's New Rules Hand Schools Hard Choices About AI and Search
The tech company plans to give schools an "on/off" switch for AI. They will soon have to decide.
Grace Jiang, November 3, 2026
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5 min read
Superintendent Mike Ginestre works in his office. Beyond bus routes, he says he built his own AI tool to sort the evidence he gathers during teacher observations.
Superintendent Mike Ginestre works in his office in the Sweet Home central school system on Oct. 28, 2026, in Amherst, NY. The superintendent is encouraging his district to experiment with AI tools to streamline administrative functions.
Grace Jiang/Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Q&A Can AI Take on the Grunt Work So Educators Can Focus on Student Learning?
A New York superintendent says the tech will help his district cut through red tape in transportation and other areas.
Grace Jiang, November 3, 2026
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5 min read
Art teacher Joyce Hatzidakis uses the AI tool Google Gemini in her high school classroom Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, Riverside, Calif.
A teacher uses the AI tool Google Gemini in her high school classroom on Jan. 22, 2026, Riverside, Calif. Recently published meta-analyses give high marks to AI in education, but those papers are fatally flawed, according to a new review.
Damian Dovarganes/AP
Artificial Intelligence The Research on AI in Education Is a Mess
Large-scale research syntheses on AI in education are deeply flawed.
Stephen Sawchuk, November 2, 2026
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6 min read
Wed., October 28, 2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET
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October 28, 2026
Image of a computer and money
Collage with Getty
Artificial Intelligence We Need Research on AI in Schools. The Feds Should Fund It, Report Says
More research would help schools make better decisions about AI use in classrooms, educators say.
Lauraine Langreo, October 15, 2026
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5 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Opinion How to Use AI With English Learners Without Encouraging Cognitive Offloading
Students need productive struggle to grasp a new language. Here’s where AI can—and can’t—fit in.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 15, 2026
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7 min read
Caitlyn Wilder, a social studies teacher at Northern Lehigh High School, helps a student who is using artificial intelligence software and a chatbot to complete a worksheet in English and Spanish on Sept. 23, 2025 , at the Slatington school.
Caitlyn Wilder, a social studies teacher at Northern Lehigh High School, helps a student who is using artificial intelligence software and a chatbot to complete a worksheet on Sept. 23, 2025, in Slatington, Pa. A history organization's ban on AI tools to help students brainstorm or create products for their history competition entries raises new questions about whether, in social studies, the tools can help aid historical thinking—or short-circuit learning.
April Gamiz/The Morning Call via TNS
Social Studies In Social Studies, Does AI Shortcut Historical Thinking? Or Deepen It?
A national student history contest banned AI use, raising questions about its role in social studies.
Sarah Schwartz, October 8, 2026
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5 min read
102026 opinion Wineburg AI media literacy
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty
Artificial Intelligence Opinion Think Your Students Know More About AI Than You Do? Read This
Here are four things your students don’t understand about AI—and what you can do about it.
Sam Wineburg & Nadav Ziv, October 7, 2026
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4 min read