Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Nithin Kamath Warns AI and Falling Scores Threaten Learning
Nithin Kamath talked about schoolchildren becoming worse at reading and mathematics.
He used PISA test results, which measure the skills of 15-year-olds.
The results showed that scores in reading, maths, and science have declined in many OECD countries.
Reading scores fell from about 500 to below 470 in the data shown.
Kamath said the COVID-19 pandemic may explain some of this change, but probably not all of it.
He also worries that AI tools can make people practice important skills less often.
For example, he said AI fixes his grammar, so he feels less need to get it right himself.
He thinks children should first learn how to think and solve problems before asking AI to do those things.
He compared the danger of relying too much on AI to the future shown in the film Idiocracy.
Nithin Kamath cited declining PISA reading, mathematics, and science scores among 15-year-olds.
Across 23 OECD countries, reading scores fell from about 500 in 2000 to below 470 in the latest data shown.
Kamath said COVID-19 may explain part of the decline, but suggested a longer-term trend is also involved.
He said relying on AI to correct grammar and typos has reduced his incentive to improve those skills himself.
Kamath warned that children should learn thinking, writing, and problem-solving before using AI to perform those tasks.
- Who
- Nithin Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, raised the concerns; the article refers to him as Nikhil Kamath in one passage.
- What
- He discussed falling student assessment scores and warned that excessive reliance on AI could weaken writing, thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- When
- Kamath shared the comments on September 10, 2026.
- Where
- The comments were shared on social media and concerned results across 23 OECD countries.
- Why
- He believes COVID-19 explains only part of the decline and that people may increasingly outsource difficult cognitive tasks to AI.
Concerns About AI Dependence
AI as a Necessary Tool
Children's use of AI
Concerns About AI Dependence
Children should learn thinking, writing, and problem-solving themselves before using AI to perform those tasks.
AI as a Necessary Tool
Children are growing up in a world where AI is likely to play a major role, so they will need to use it.
Effect on human skills
Concerns About AI Dependence
Using AI for easy tasks may reduce motivation to practice and could lead people to outsource too much thinking and work.
AI as a Necessary Tool
Kamath acknowledged that AI can help people think and do more, even while warning that many may use it mainly as an easier substitute.
Reasons for falling scores
Concerns About AI Dependence
The decline may reflect a longer-term trend beyond the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
AI as a Necessary Tool
COVID-19 may explain at least some of the deterioration in student performance.
- Assessment
- The Programme for International Student Assessment measures reading, mathematics, and science skills among 15-year-olds.
- Countries covered
- The chart showed average scores across 23 OECD countries.
- Reading trend
- The reading score fell from around 500 in 2000 to below 470 in the latest data shown.
- Score comparison
- A 20-point PISA difference is roughly equivalent to one year of schooling.
- AI tools mentioned
- Kamath referred to ChatGPT and Claude.
- Kamath's personal example
- He said nearly every post he writes goes through AI for grammar and typo corrections.
- Cultural reference
- He compared the risk to the 2006 comedy film Idiocracy.