'Losing the creative ones': Schoolchildren leaving critical thinking to AI, research shows

thestar.com.my Aug 23, 2026

‘Losing the creative ones’: Schoolchildren leaving critical thinking to AI, research shows

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 23, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A recent survey by Common Sense Media reveals that schoolchildren are increasingly abandoning critical thinking in favor of artificial intelligence for their academic work. Among approximately 1,000 participants, 60% use AI to obtain answers for school assignments, with many simply copying or slightly rephrasing the generated text. Despite 40% of students suspecting that AI hinders their learning and idea generation, the technology remains too convenient to ignore. Even when schools block AI platforms, 60% of pupils access chatbots via personal devices. Alarmingly, nearly three-quarters of respondents reported receiving no instruction on using AI safely. Common Sense Media CEO Jim Steyer urged adults to teach children responsible usage skills. This trend mirrors findings from Microsoft regarding reduced cognitive effort among knowledge workers. Concurrently, a Pew Research Center poll indicates that a majority of young adults are now more concerned than excited about AI, with 52% fearing it could lead to mass unemployment across all age groups.

💡 Why It Matters

· The widespread adoption of AI without proper guidance risks creating a generation dependent on automated outputs rather than independent analysis.
· This shift threatens to erode foundational cognitive skills essential for future professional and personal problem-solving capabilities.

AI Capsules

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HTX Research Examines U.S. AI Equities: Technology Remains Early, While Capital Expenditure…

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egamers.io · Aug 23

Instagram Quietly Routes Your Off-App Activity Into Ads and AI — The…

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cyberera.com.ng · Aug 23

AI Is Already On The Job, And Census Is Keeping Count

A recent Census Bureau survey found that 55 % of U.S. workers have used AI for at least one of 11 job-related tasks, with the most common uses being information search (37 %), writing communications (32 %), idea generation (32 %), and data interpretation (31 %). About 27 % employed AI for administrative duties. Workers reported time savings: 31 % saved one to two hours, 15 % saved three to four hours, and another 15 % saved over four hours. However, 10 % saw no time benefit and 3 % experienced increased time. The data illustrate everyday AI adoption beyond advanced model development.

💡 The findings show that AI is already embedded in routine work, offering measurable productivity gains for many employees. This trend signals a shift toward broader, practical AI integration across both private and public sectors.

techcompanynews.com · Aug 23

Rundoo Raises $30 Million In Series B Funding Round

Rundoo, a Redwood City startup founded in 2021 by Stanford alumni, closed a $30 million Series B financing round led by Battery Ventures, with participation from existing backers Bessemer Venture Partners and CRV, bringing total capital raised to $48 million. Battery Ventures’ Michael Brown joined the company’s board. The AI‑native operating platform consolidates point‑of‑sale, e‑commerce, CRM, loyalty, accounting, inventory and payments for independent hardware, paint, lawn‑and‑garden, farm‑feed and lumber retailers. Its core AI agent, Dooey, generates purchase orders, suggests promotions, delivers daily business recaps and provides price comparisons using store‑specific data, weather forecasts and local demand signals. Rundoo now serves over 500 stores in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, reporting first‑year sales growth of 17 %, receivables reductions exceeding 25 % and marginal gross‑margin gains of 1–2 %.

💡 By embedding AI into the back‑office of small‑format retailers, Rundoo gives independent stores a technology edge traditionally reserved for large chains, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics of the hardware and home‑improvement market.

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💡 The non-retroactive nature of the opt-out mechanism exposes creators to liability for past content usage, setting a precedent for how digital platforms handle historical data in AI development. This legal challenge tests the boundaries of implied consent in user agreements.