The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Children’s Development: Enhancing Knowledge Acquisition or Reducing Intellectual Effort?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31150/jhai.v5i1.3589Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Children’s Development, AI in Education, Cognitive Development, Critical ThinkingAbstract
This study investigates the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on children’s cognitive development, focusing on its dual role in enhancing knowledge acquisition while potentially reducing independent thinking. Using a literature-based analysis of recent studies in AI, education technology, and cognitive psychology, the research examines how AI influences personalized learning, student engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. The findings show that AI improves learning efficiency through adaptive education, instant feedback, and wider access to information. However, excessive reliance on AI may decrease cognitive effort and encourage passive learning behaviors. The study concludes that AI should function as a learning support tool rather than a replacement for human intelligence. Effective AI integration requires balancing technological assistance with the development of creativity, critical thinking, and independent reasoning.
References
[1] W. Holmes, M. Bialik, and C. Fadel, Artificial Intelligence in Education: Promises and Implications for Teaching and Learning. Boston, MA, USA: Center for Curriculum Redesign, 2019.
[2] E. Kasneci, K. Seßler, S. Küchemann, M. Bannert, D. Dementieva, F. Fischer, U. Gasser, and G. Groh, "ChatGPT for good? On opportunities and challenges of large language models for education," Learning and Individual Differences, vol. 103, Art. no. 102274, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102274.
[3] G. Kestin, K. Miller, A. Klales, T. Milbourne, and G. Ponti, "AI tutoring outperforms in-class active learning: An RCT introducing a novel research-based design in an authentic educational setting," Scientific Reports, vol. 15, Art. no. 17458, 2025.
[4] R. Luckin, Machine Learning and Human Intelligence: The Future of Education for the 21st Century. London, U.K.: UCL Institute of Education Press, 2018.
[5] Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), OECD Learning Compass 2030: A Series of Concept Notes. Paris, France: OECD Publishing, 2019.
[6] D. Sleeman and J. S. Brown, Eds., Intelligent Tutoring Systems. New York, NY, USA: Academic Press, 1982.
[7] UNESCO, Guidance for Generative AI in Education and Research. Paris, France: UNESCO Publishing, 2023.
[8] K. VanLehn, "The relative effectiveness of human tutoring, intelligent tutoring systems, and other tutoring systems," Educational Psychologist, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 197–221, Oct. 2011, doi: 10.1080/00461520.2011.611369.
[9] B. P. Woolf, Building Intelligent Interactive Tutors: Student-Centered Strategies for Revolutionizing E-Learning. Burlington, MA, USA: Morgan Kaufmann, 2010.
[10] J. R. Anderson, C. F. Boyle, and B. J. Reiser, "Intelligent tutoring systems," Science, vol. 228, no. 4698, pp. 456–462, May 1985, doi: 10.1126/science.228.4698.456.
[11] R. S. J. d. Baker and K. Yacef, "The state of educational data mining in 2009: A review and future visions," Journal of Educational Data Mining, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 3–17, Oct. 2009.
[12] N. Pinkwart, "Another 25 years of AIED? Challenges and opportunities for intelligent educational technologies of the future," International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 771–783, Jun. 2016, doi: 10.1007/s40593-016-0099-7.
[13] J. Zawacki-Richter, V. I. Marín, M. Bond, and F. Gouverneur, "Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education—Where are the educators?" International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, vol. 16, no. 1, Art. no. 39, Aug. 2019, doi: 10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0.
[14] X. Chen, H. Xie, G.-J. Hwang, K. Mohan, and H. Wang, "Effects of artificial intelligence-based educational technologies on students' learning achievement: A meta-analysis," Educational Research Review, vol. 38, Art. no. 100486, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100486.
[15] C. K. Lo, "What is the impact of ChatGPT on education? A rapid review of the literature," Education and Information Technologies, vol. 28, no. 12, pp. 18895–18955, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s10639-023-11817-8.