A report from Bellwether explores when the ease provided by GenAI promotes learning versus when it becomes a shortcut with hidden costs. It examines AI’s influence on students’ memory, attention, motivation, and self-regulation but conflates key definitions of learning, leading to shaky conclusions. Framed through an overly individualistic lens, it overlooks classroom complexity and fails to offer strategies to prevent harm from GenAI’s use with children and youth. Though it raises important questions, its value for policymakers is limited.

Suggested Citation: Philip, T.M. (2025). NEPC Review: Productive struggle: How artificial intelligence is changing learning, effort, and youth development in education. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. Retrieved [date] from https://nepc.colorado.edu/review/struggle