Kim Komando Daily Tech Update

Homework isn't what it used to be

4 min
Feb 25, 2026about 2 months ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

This episode examines how AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude are transforming homework for today's teens, with over 50% now using AI daily for assignments. While schools must teach AI literacy, research shows these tools often hinder learning, reasoning, and critical thinking skills. The episode also features a segment on the Amish adopting e-bikes as a practical alternative to horses.

Insights
  • AI adoption in student homework has doubled from 25% to over 50% in just one year, representing a rapid shift in educational practices
  • Despite widespread AI use, credible studies confirm these tools negatively impact learning outcomes, reasoning ability, and critical thinking development
  • Schools face a dual challenge: teaching AI competency while mitigating its detrimental effects on foundational learning skills
  • The generational impact of AI on education will create a fundamentally different collective experience compared to previous generations
Trends
Rapid acceleration of AI chatbot adoption among teenagers for academic workGrowing disconnect between AI availability and educational best practices in schoolsEmerging need for AI literacy curriculum that balances tool usage with learning preservationResearch-backed concerns about AI's impact on critical thinking and reasoning skills in studentsShift from 25% to 50%+ teen AI usage in homework within one year indicates exponential adoption curve
Companies
OpenAI
ChatGPT mentioned as primary AI chatbot used by 50%+ of teens daily for homework assistance
Anthropic
Claude mentioned alongside ChatGPT as major AI chatbot tool used by students for homework
Quotes
"54 of today teens admit that they use AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude to help with homework every single day"
Kim Komando
"There's no question schools must teach AI and how to use it, but there are several credible studies confirming AI often hinders learning, reasoning, and critical thinking."
Kim Komando
"Homework is something all of us remember, and we do remember it all in the same way. It a collective experience until now Because of AI this generation will remember it differently"
Kim Komando
"Is AI helping or hurting students? Right now, no one really knows."
Kim Komando
Full Transcript
When I looked at all my subscriptions, I couldn't believe how many I was paying for and not using. Streaming services, apps, memberships, it adds up. That's why I use and recommend Rocket Money. It's a personal finance app that finds and cancels unwanted subscriptions, tracks your spending, and helps lower your bills so you can grow your savings. The best part? You can cancel subscriptions right inside the app with just a few taps. No awkward phone calls or hunting for passwords. With Rocket Money, all your accounts are in one dashboard. Your checking, savings, loans, and investments are all there, so you can see your entire financial picture at a glance. It organizes every transaction automatically, sets budgets, sends real-time alerts for big charges, and gives you easy-to-read reports. I keep a close eye on all my finances, and Rocket Money gives me an even smarter view. Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at rocketmoney.com slash kim. That's rocketmoney.com slash kim. Go now, rocketmoney.com slash kim. Homework is something all of us remember, and we do remember it all in the same way. It a collective experience until now Because of AI this generation will remember it differently After school homework is nothing like you remember it 54 of today teens admit that they use AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude to help with homework every single day which leads us to a question. Are these chatbots helping or are they doing all the work? There's no question schools must teach AI and how to use it, but there are several credible studies confirming AI often hinders learning, reasoning, and critical thinking. In 2024, only a quarter of teen students were using it. Now we're over 50%. And the ultimate question, is AI helping or hurting students? Right now, no one really knows. Tomorrow in my free newsletter, it's all about data brokers and the things that they're selling. Sign up at GetKim.com. And now a clip from my weekend show, The Kim Commando Show. It's pretty much the best radio show in the world, but I may be just a little biased, sit back and enjoy. Now, when you think Amish, what do you think? Butter churns, rum springer. Handmade quilts. Sure. Horse and buggy. Of course. Zero tech. Well, hold your horses. Because the Amish are now riding e That electricity No it not You might think it might be electricity E. What does the E in the e-bike stand for? That's electricity. No, they're hopping on these battery-powered bikes to get to work, haul supplies, run errands. They say the horses are expensive, slow, and require a lot of upkeep and vet bills. and so you could say they're trading horsepower for what power and what power is that solar powered that's how they're charging them yes yes so they're not using the grid they're not using any gas simple living it's off the grid energy um boy i'll tell you the amish they found a loophole and they're pedaling right through it you're so proud of that i'm pedaling right through it Did you hear that punchline, kids? I hate you. I know. Also, join us here on the big show by tapping into our number. Yes, our phone number, 1-888-825-5254. And if you like you can also schedule a time right here on the show by heading over to the official homepage That commando with a course with a K And there a big link on the top that says Ask Kim 825 What is that? Does that spell anything? It spells talk to Kim. Oh, okay. Speaking of phone numbers, I have to bring in the email. I have to show it to you. I got this most wonderful email from a gentleman who has listened to the show for many years. And he actually has a phone number with my last name in it. and he wants to give it to me as a special thank you. So it spells out commando? Yes. With the area code? Yes. Now it's not going to be, we're in Phoenix, Arizona. It's not going to be a Phoenix area code. Would you use that? Well, you know, it doesn't matter. There's really no more long distance. I understand that, but would you? When people say, what's your phone number? And you'd be like, 642 commando. I don't know. I don't know. But I just thought that was really, I thought that was just a very kind gesture. Very kind. It was very nice. Hey, if you love staying tech ahead, then you're going to love, love, love. I'm talking about my free newsletter called The Current. Join almost a million folks who get it every single day. It's quick, smart, and only takes five minutes a day. Yes. Sign up right now at GetKim.com. That's GetKim.com.