A RAND Corporation survey found majorities of middle, high school and college students say AI use is eroding critical thinking—70% of college students and nearly seven in ten K‑12 students reported concern. The survey also documented rapid growth in students using chatbots for homework between May and December 2025. Assessment experts are split: some see AI as a tool to modernize item generation, scoring and feedback, while others warn of accuracy, bias and privacy risks. Panelists at education conferences urged careful guardrails and human oversight if AI is used to score or shape standardized assessments, noting that flawed automation could skew accountability and classroom practice.