OECD Publishes PISA Analysis of Generative AI Use in Classrooms

OECD Director for Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher wrote on 13 October 2026 that PISA data show AI chatbots are now routinely used for schoolwork in many countries. In Macao (China), Thailand, the Philippines, 17 of 27 Ukrainian regions, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Singapore, Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates, more than 40% of students use AI to draft texts for writing assignments once or twice a week or daily; in Viet Nam the share reaches 52%. Students who report using AI chatbots score about 20 points lower in science on average, though the article states this does not necessarily represent a causal relationship.

This is the first time the OECD has systematically disclosed PISA cross-country data on the association between student AI use and science performance, providing verifiable baseline evidence for education authorities drafting classroom AI rules. The article also notes that educational generative AI tools may lead to sustained learning gains, while general-purpose tools often do not support deep learning and risk 'metacognitive laziness and disengagement'. Because the data are correlational rather than causal, and advantaged students have greater access to guided AI use, policymakers must weigh promotion against caution. Education authorities may use the data to accelerate classroom AI guidelines covering pedagogical value, age-appropriateness, academic integrity and data privacy. Schools and teachers may focus more on how often and how students use AI, not just whether they use it, and may adjust assignment design and assessment.