{
  "id": 6260447,
  "title": "AI Use Contributes to Global Decline in Student Reading Skills, OECD Says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/ai-use-contributes-to-global-decline-in-student-reading-skills-oecd",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-08T09:28:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times - World News",
    "slug": "hindustan-times-world-news",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/ai-use-contributes-to-global-decline-in-student-reading-skills-oecd-says-101788859657032.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The widespread adoption of AI tools and social media platforms is contributing to a significant decline in the reading abilities of high-school students globally, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In a recent study involving 760,000 15-year-olds from 91 countries and economies, the average reading score dropped by 28 points from 2015 to 2025, reflecting a diminished capacity to analyze information, think critically, and integrate various pieces of evidence. This decline is particularly troubling as reading skills serve as a foundation for learning across all subjects. Andreas Schleicher, the OECD's director for education and skills, noted that students are becoming \"hasty\" in their responses, often providing inaccurate answers due to increased screen usage and digitalization. The decline is more pronounced among \"advantaged\" students whose parents earn high incomes, who are performing below expectations given their background. The OECD warns that this decline in reading ability could have long-term economic implications, as increased educational attainment is believed to drive economic growth. The findings have sparked concerns about the overuse of AI chatbots and smartphones in schools, with some countries implementing bans on smartphone usage to mitigate the deterioration in learning outcomes. Despite these challenges, China's students continue to excel in science and math, while Singapore leads in reading.",
  "summary": "OECD said tests taken last year by 15-year-olds in 91 countries and economies revealed a big drop in scores compared with a decade earlier.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}