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Analyzing the Effect of AI Assistance on Knowledge Acquisition

CSEF · 2026 Cognitive Science (Junior Division)

Julian Park

Overview

This project explores how different types of AI assistance influence human learning and knowledge acquisition. Through a randomized controlled experiment, participants learn about the history of a fictional country under one of three conditions: an AI Tutor (which guides learning with prompts and feedback), an AI Assistant (which directly provides answers), or no AI assistance. The study assesses learning gains via pre- and post-tests to compare how each AI interaction affects understanding, engagement, and retention. By separating the instructional method from familiarity with the content, the experiment aims to determine whether active AI guidance promotes deeper comprehension than passive AI support. The findings will add to the growing field of cognitive science and educational technology, offering insights into how AI can be designed to enhance, not replace, human learning.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2026 Cognitive Science (Junior Division) · Entry J-06-07

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