The skills that earn top grades are the ones AI can fake best
AITopTools Editorial TeamAugust 30, 2026
What changed
An experiment with 1,053 Bocconi University students found that using GPT-4o raised grades on a marketing assignment by nearly one point on a five-point scale. The experiment did not test whether students learned the material, while other studies suggest that relying on AI without independent thinking may cause longer-term harm.
What this means for you
Students may produce better-looking assignments with AI, but higher grades do not necessarily show stronger understanding. Educators and learners should treat AI-assisted work as a possible performance boost, not proof that learning has taken place.