Key takeaways
- More active reading: Students using the Pearson AI study tools were 3 times more likely to engage in active reading behaviors.
- Faster proficiency: Students using AI-powered adaptive practice were 90% more likely to reach initial mastery of a topic without spending additional time studying.
- Deeper questioning: Nearly one-third of student AI prompts reflected higher levels of cognitive complexity, with students' questions suggesting they were seeking help to apply, analyze, and evaluate what they’d learned.
Dr. Emily Lai, Head of Research, Pearson
Over the past two years, learning scientists at Pearson have conducted studies examining usage of the company’s AI-powered learning tools. The research has explored:
- Student reading behaviors in digital course materials,
- Proficiency gains from AI-powered study and practice tools, and
- Student queries to AI study tools.
While each study examined a different aspect of learning, together they offer a growing body of AI-supported learning evidence. This evidence supports the idea that AI can have a positive impact when it is integrated directly into the learning experience, vetted by experts, aligned with curriculum, and backed by learning science. The findings below summarize key results from this research.
How does AI influence student engagement with course materials?
Students who used the Pearson AI Study Tool were significantly more likely to engage in active reading behaviors such as taking notes, testing their understanding, and revisiting their own notations in the text.
In an analysis of more than 79 million eTextbook interactions, researchers found:
- Students using standalone eTextbooks were 3 times more likely to be classified as active readers if they used the AI Study Tool even once.
- Repeated use of the AI Study Tool was associated with even higher rates of active reading.
- Active reading behaviors have long been associated with deeper comprehension and stronger retention. The study suggests use of the AI Study Tool was associated with greater engagement in these behaviors.
Can AI-powered adaptive practice help students reach mastery more efficiently?
Another study examined how students performed when practice questions adapted to their individual learning needs. In an analysis of more than 62,000 higher education students using practice questions in Pearson Exam Prep, researchers found:
- Students using AI-powered adaptive practice were 90% more likely to reach initial proficiency on a topic than students using traditional, non-adaptive practice questions.
- Students achieved those learning gains without spending more time studying than peers using traditional practice questions.
For adaptive practice, AI is used to personalize the selection of practice questions based on a student’s demonstrated understanding and progress. The system continuously adjusts, focusing study time on concepts where each student can make the most progress, aligned to topics set by their instructors.
How are students using AI to support learning and critical questioning?
To better understand what student AI prompts said about their cognitive engagement, researchers analyzed approximately 128,000 inputs to the Pearson AI Study Tool, where students can ask questions about course content in their own words.
Analysis of the data found:
- Nearly one-third of student queries reflected higher levels of cognitive complexity, with students asking questions to help them apply, analyze, and evaluate what they’ve learned.
- 20 percent of inputs reached even more advanced levels generally consistent with critical thinking.
- Additional analysis of these inputs showed student interactions overwhelmingly aligned with the tool’s intended educational purpose, while only a small percentage (3%) appeared to attempt to seek answers to homework or assessment questions. This showed a large majority of students used the tool to remember and understand factual and conceptual knowledge.
Future research: understanding the long-term impact of AI on learning
Research on AI and learning is still evolving, and many questions remain about how students will use these tools over time.
Pearson will continue studying student engagement across its digital learning platforms to better understand how AI shapes study habits, supports learning, and influences academic outcomes. Additional studies will be shared as new research becomes available.
Want to learn more? Explore Pearson’s research on AI and active learning:
- Quantitative Analysis of How Responsible AI Study Tools Promote Active Reading Examined more than 79 million eTextbook interactions to understand how use of the Pearson AI Study Tool related to active reading behaviors such as note-taking, self-testing, and revisiting material. (February 2026)..
- New Pearson Data Shows Students Build Proficiency with AI-Powered Practice
Analyzed more than 62,000 higher education students using Pearson Study Prep and found students using AI-powered adaptive practice were 90% more likely to reach initial mastery without spending additional time studying. (May 2026). - Asking to Learn: What Student Queries to Generative AI Reveal About Cognitive Engagement Analyzed approximately 128,000 student inputs submitted through Explain to examine how students use AI while learning and what those interactions reveal about cognitive engagement and higher-order thinking. (June 2025).