Artificial Intelligence
Is AI making us dumber? Depends how it’s used
AI can weaken learning when it replaces effort. But tools that offer guidance rather than answers can help people hone their skills.
By Meghan Rosen
MS-ETS1-1
Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
More Stories in MS-ETS1-1
- Tech
Like an armadillo, a new soft robot rolls up to protect itself
Like the three-banded armadillo, this device can roll up to shield its innards, such as sensitive electronics and a small payload.
- Animals
Spying on the secret lives of boobies
New high-tech tools let scientists “tag” along with these red-footed seabirds to solve the mystery of how boobies spend their days at sea.
- Artificial Intelligence
Uh oh! AI agents broke free and went on a hacking spree
Recently, AI agents undergoing tests acted in surprising and concerning ways. This wasn’t supposed to happen, so how worried should we be?
- Math
AI can be a helpful math tutor if used right — and harmful if not
Using AI to learn math concepts can boost understanding. But if used to get quick answers, AI can become a crutch that hurts learning.
- Health & Medicine
What to know about using AI chatbots for therapy
More and more young people are turning to AI chatbots for mental health help. There can be risks, and it’s important to know what they are, experts say.
- Environment
Experiment: Remove microplastics from water with yeast
Learn how yeast can be used to remove microplastics from contaminated water with this experiment.
- Tech
Nature-inspired rocket-nozzle redesign stands by for liftoff
At the 2026 Regeneron ISEF competition, teens showed how they blasted past a problem that has limited use of super-efficient aerospike rocket engines.
- Artificial Intelligence
Don’t trust AI for help with citations, science-fair judges warn
Fake, AI-generated citations have begun disqualifying major science-fair projects. Such ‘ghost’ references even haunt research journals.
- Artificial Intelligence
Sneaky: AI auto-complete may be shaping our views
People are increasingly using AI auto-complete features when writing. Those tools may change how we think — even without our knowing.
