UK Teacher Survey: Over 60% Believe Students' Over-Reliance on AI Reduces Thinking Skills

A recent survey by the UK's National Education Union of 9,000 public school educators found that over 60% of teachers believe students' over-reliance on AI is leading to a gradual decline in thinking skills. Some students even think there's no need to master spelling due to the popularity of voice-to-text technology.

Many teachers worry that AI is undermining the essence of learning, affecting problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. Regarding the UK government's AI tutoring tool plan launched in January, 49% of teachers oppose it while only 14% support it, arguing that AI cannot replace human interaction, especially for vulnerable students.

Data shows that 76% of teachers use AI in daily work (such as lesson preparation and grading), but 49% of schools have no AI usage policies and 66% have no AI guidelines for students. Some teachers generate low-quality content due to lack of training.