Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a major part of modern education. Many students now use AI tools to research, solve problems, summarise notes, and do assignments. While some believe these technologies help students learn faster and become more productive, others argue that reliance on AI reduces critical thinking, creativity, and independent learning. TEMITOPE OKEDIYA and DAMOLA KAREEM sought the opinions of some Nigerians on whether AI is making students smarter or Lazier. Their views:

Mary Kuteyi

As a History and International Studies student, I believe AI has made me smarter rather than lazier. It helps me understand difficult topics, organise my thoughts, identify key points and make research less stressful. However, students who rely completely on AI, without making any effort, defeat the purpose of education. AI works best as a learning assistant, not a replacement for studying. Its impact depends on how it is used.

Olatunji Alao

AI is a good development but also a major undoing in scholarship. Many students have replaced their God-given intelligence with AI, making them lazy and disconnected from what they write about.

Julianah Akpotaire

AI has transformed education by making information more accessible, supporting research, and simplifying difficult concepts. However, excessive dependence on AI can reduce critical thinking, originality, and independent learning. AI should support education, not replace human intelligence.

Ayodeji Ogunbuyide

AI is already shaping education, business, and the future of work. Children should be introduced to AI early because it will remain part of their future. Like calculators, AI should be used as an aid, not a replacement for thinking. Students must add their own ideas because employers and schools can detect work produced without personal input.

Abisoye Tadese

Artificial Intelligence should enhance and refine students’ work, not replace intellectual effort. Students should first conduct research and contribute their own ideas before using AI. Smart students compare AI responses with lecturers, supervisors, and scholarly sources to preserve originality and academic integrity. The real issue is responsible use. AI should remain a complementary tool, not a substitute for scholarship.

Ogunbiyi Oluwafemi

AI has changed the way students learn by making information easier to access, explaining difficult concepts, and supporting research. It encourages independent learning and helps students become more productive. However, many students now depend on AI to complete assignments without thinking for themselves. AI should be a guide that supports learning, not a replacement for independent thinking. The difference lies in whether students use AI to learn or to avoid learning.

Jesusetemi Fasoyiro

AI has the potential to make students smarter when used responsibly. It makes learning more accessible, explains difficult concepts, supports independent learning, and improves writing. However, students who copy AI-generated responses without understanding them weaken their research, analysis, and problem-solving skills. AI should complement traditional learning, not replace it. Schools should teach students to use AI ethically and responsibly.

Jahbike Ukonu

AI has aided fast research by helping students get answers within minutes. While this is helpful, it also kills grit and promotes overreliance. AI should be used to amplify skills, not replace critical thinking. It has helped students become smarter, but many have also become too relaxed because they depend on it too much.

Adegbenro Kareem

I do not think AI makes students smarter. When students focus too much on AI, they stop relying on their own natural intelligence.

Oyedepo Olamide

Artificial Intelligence has become one of the most influential technologies of our time. Students now use AI to solve problems, conduct research, summarise information, and receive personalised tutoring. In my opinion, AI has the potential to make students smarter, but only when it is used as a learning tool rather than a shortcut. It makes information more accessible, helps students understand difficult concepts, and encourages independent learning. It also improves writing by helping students organise ideas, check grammar, and receive feedback. The real issue is not the technology but the user’s attitude. A motivated student can use AI to deepen understanding and learn faster, while a careless student can use it to avoid effort. Schools should teach students how to use AI responsibly instead of banning it. AI should help students learn better, not do the learning for them.

Samuel Owolabi

What AI has done is provide another tool. Like every tool, its impact depends on the person using it. AI can support learning or be abused as a shortcut. The smartest students benefit the most from AI. They ask better questions, compare viewpoints, verify information from credible academic sources, and refine their ideas. AI becomes a research assistant rather than a replacement for independent thinking. Of course, some students misuse AI by generating essays, submitting AI-generated work without understanding it, and relying on technology to think for them. AI did not create this behaviour; it simply gave existing habits a new platform. Ultimately, intelligence has never been determined by the tools people possess but by how they use those tools. AI has made neither smarter nor lazier students. It has simply amplified what was already there. The real question is whether we are preparing students to use AI wisely.

Adewolu Kareem

With the rise of AI tools, education has changed completely. AI is creating both the smartest and the laziest generations. When used properly, AI is one of the best learning tools ever created. It acts like a free tutor, explaining difficult concepts, generating practice questions, finding coding errors and summarising research. It helps students understand faster and move beyond basic learning. However, AI also encourages laziness. Many students now skip reading, thinking, and solving problems on their own. They copy answers instead of learning. True learning comes from struggling with difficult problems, and AI can remove that process. Students may submit excellent work but fail to explain it because they do not truly understand it. AI does not make students smarter or lazier. It simply reflects the kind of student using it.

Okediya Olumide

Artificial Intelligence has made students lazier, in my opinion. The reason is that it does not allow them to think ahead or be innovative anymore.