AI Can Write Essays Instantly — Here's Why Kids Still Need to Think for Themselves
Gleisdorf – September 13, 2026 -- Artificial intelligence can now solve homework, write full essays, and answer complex questions within seconds, prompting education economist Ludger Wößmann to warn that children risk losing the motivation to build knowledge on their own.
Basic literacy and math remain non-negotiable, expert says
Wößmann argues that reading, writing, and arithmetic are becoming more important, not less, in the AI era. Without solid language skills, a child cannot judge the quality of an AI-generated text. Without foundational knowledge, they cannot critically evaluate an AI's answer or even know which questions to ask.