An IIT Kharagpur professor has warned that students who rely on artificial intelligence (AI) to complete academic assignments may miss out on the learning process itself. He believes AI should help students understand concepts and solve problems independently rather than simply generate answers.
Plaban Kumar Bhowmick, professor in the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur and principal investigator of the National Digital Library of India (NDLI), has highlighted the difference between two approaches to AI-assisted education: cognitive offloading and cognitive scaffolding.
In a post shared by IIT Kharagpur on X, Bhowmick explained how AI can either take over a student’s thinking or provide the support needed to develop independent problem-solving skills.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AI DOES A STUDENT’S WORK?
Bhowmick said cognitive offloading occurs when students delegate their thinking to AI instead of attempting to solve problems themselves.
In contrast, cognitive scaffolding involves creating a supportive learning environment in which students gradually develop the skills needed to tackle difficult questions independently. However, AI can undermine this process when it completes an assignment on a student’s behalf.
“We do something that we call cognitive scaffolding, where we put up a structure within which the student feels supported,” he said. Questioning whether AI-generated solutions genuinely help students learn, he added, “Basically, there is no learning happening in this scenario.”
According to Bhowmick, the problem is not the use of AI itself, but how students use it. When an AI tool provides a complete answer without requiring learners to understand the underlying concepts, they may finish an assignment without achieving its intended learning objectives.
HOW CAN AI HELP STUDENTS LEARN INDEPENDENTLY?
Bhowmick said AI can be more effective when it acts as a guide rather than a substitute for a student’s effort. This is the approach behind the Fermi AI Tutor, which aims to help students work through problems independently.
“The AI tutor supports the student but does not solve the problem for them,” he said.
Unlike AI tools that provide ready-made answers, the Fermi AI Tutor encourages students to think through questions, explore possible solutions and seek guidance when needed.
Bhowmick described the platform as more than a tool for obtaining answers. “What this AI tutor brings to students is a coaching companion, a teaching companion,” he said, adding that this form of AI could become an important part of the future of education.
The Fermi AI Tutor is available free through the National Digital Library of India.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION?
The growing use of AI in education has raised questions about whether students are using the technology to understand difficult concepts or simply complete assignments faster.
While AI can make information more accessible, its educational value depends on whether students remain actively involved in learning. Tools that offer hints, encourage reasoning and guide learners through challenging questions can help students develop a deeper understanding of concepts.
For educators, the challenge is to ensure that AI strengthens students’ ability to think critically and solve problems independently rather than replacing these skills with ready-made answers.
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