Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Nithin Kamath Raises Concerns About AI and Student Skills
Nithin Kamath is worried that students may be getting worse at some school subjects.
He pointed to international test results showing declines in reading and mathematics.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures probably caused some of the problem.
He also thinks AI could make the problem more complicated.
AI can quickly write answers, fix grammar and create computer code.
This can save time, but people may practice thinking and writing less.
Children still need to learn how to solve problems by themselves and make mistakes.
The main question is when and how students should use AI without letting it do all their thinking.
Nithin Kamath said student performance in reading and mathematics appears to be worsening worldwide.
He acknowledged that COVID-19 school closures and disrupted classroom learning may explain part of the decline.
Kamath also questioned whether AI tools could reduce people’s incentive to develop writing, coding and problem-solving skills.
The latest OECD PISA results show declines in reading and mathematics among many 15-year-olds.
The article says PISA results do not establish that AI is causing weaker academic performance.
- Who
- Nithin Kamath, along with concerns raised about students, schools and technology teams.
- What
- Kamath warned that declining academic performance and growing AI use could weaken writing, thinking and problem-solving skills.
- When
- Kamath published the comments on September 10, 2026.
- Where
- The comments were made in a post discussed in the article; no specific location was given.
- Why
- He was responding to declining PISA results and his own experience relying on AI tools for writing.
AI May Weaken Independent Skills
Evidence Does Not Prove AI Is the Cause
Cause of declining performance
AI May Weaken Independent Skills
Kamath suggests that AI’s ability to provide quick answers, writing and code may discourage students and workers from practicing difficult cognitive tasks.
Evidence Does Not Prove AI Is the Cause
The article states that PISA’s decline does not establish that AI is causing weaker academic performance; COVID-related disruption may explain part of the deterioration.
Role of AI in education
AI May Weaken Independent Skills
Students need to struggle with problems, make mistakes and develop thinking, writing and problem-solving skills independently.
Evidence Does Not Prove AI Is the Cause
Students also need to learn how to use AI effectively because it is expected to be important in their future education and careers.
- Assessment
- The OECD’s PISA assessment measures reading, science and mathematics skills among 15-year-olds.
- Reported trend
- PISA results described in the article show declines in reading and mathematics across much of the world.
- Pandemic factor
- Kamath said prolonged school closures and disrupted classroom learning likely contributed to the decline.
- AI tools mentioned
- Kamath said he uses ChatGPT, Claude and other AI tools to correct grammar and typos.
- Workplace concern
- Kamath asked Zerodha’s chief technology officer whether AI-assisted coding could produce a similar pattern among technology teams.
- Core dilemma
- AI may increase productivity while reducing the amount of cognitive work people perform themselves.