Two-Thirds of Singapore Students Use AI to Help Them Learn Every Week

A new global study found that two-thirds of students in Singapore use AI chatbots to help them learn at least once a week. That number is much higher than the average of 46 percent across OECD countries. The study, called Pisa, was released on September 8 and surveyed 6,551 students across 157 schools in Singapore. It was the first time Pisa ever looked at how students around the world use AI in school.

Singapore students are using AI in many ways. Between 41 and 46 percent said they often use AI to research topics, summarize texts, and help write assignments. Only 4 percent said they never or almost never use AI for schoolwork. Singapore has made AI tools a clear part of its school system, unlike countries such as Japan and Estonia where AI use in schools is more limited.

Students in Singapore also spend more time on digital devices at school than most other students. On average, they use devices about 2.1 hours a day for learning, compared to the OECD average of 1.7 hours. More schools in Singapore are banning cell phones too, with that number rising from 16 percent in 2022 to 43 percent in 2025. In OECD countries, students in schools with phone bans are about 13 percent less likely to say they feel distracted by devices.

The Pisa report found that the link between AI use and science scores is complicated. On average, students who do not use AI scored about 20 points higher in science — roughly equal to one full extra year of learning. However, students who use AI just once or twice a week for general learning scored about the same as students who don't use AI at all. This suggests that using AI a little, and in a thoughtful way, may not hurt learning.

How students use AI makes a big difference, the report explained. Students who rely on AI for specific tasks like writing or summarizing tend to score lower than those who don't use it. But students who use AI to learn and also practice checking whether AI information is accurate tend to do slightly better. The report also warned that wealthier students tend to have more chances to develop these critical AI skills, which could create an unfair gap.

Andreas Schleicher, the OECD's director for education and skills, said one surprise was that nearly 40 percent of Singapore students said they would trust their own common sense over scientific studies. He warned that AI can feel convincing and natural, making it easy to stop thinking critically. 'In this age, I think common sense is no longer good enough,' he said, adding that students need a more scientific mindset that checks facts rather than relying on feelings.

Schleicher also worried that students may be doing less deep thinking because technology makes tasks so easy. He compared learning to exercise, saying you have to do the hard work to truly improve. 'You do not get fit by watching sports - you get fit by doing sports. And the same is with learning, learning is always about cognitive struggle,' he said.

The study also found that family support for Singapore students has dropped. Only 55 percent of students said a parent or guardian asked them at least once a week what they did at school, and just 37 percent had weekly talks about school problems. Schleicher said family involvement is one of the strongest predictors of how well a student does. He urged parents to show they value learning at home, not just rely on schools to do everything.

Singapore's Ministry of Education acknowledged these findings about family involvement. It noted that only about half of students reported weekly family chats about school, and just 39 percent said their families take an interest in what they are learning. MOE said parents can use its Parenting for Wellness resources for help. The ministry also pointed out that 23 percent of Singapore students do no exercise outside of school — higher than the OECD average of 17 percent — and pledged to help students stay more active.