The AERO warns against ‘cognitive offloading’ and advises a sparing use of AI thereafter, employing tools that guide reasoning rather than providing the answers.
On 14 October 2026, the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), a public educational research organisation, published recommendations for teachers, school leaders and decision-makers on the use of AI in schools. Its main concern: "cognitive offloading", i.e. students who entrust their thinking to AI instead of acquiring the basic knowledge they will need for the rest of their lives.
Age-based recommendations
The organization recommends that AI be completely eliminated during the first three years of elementary school, and then used sparingly and in addition to proven methods such as explicit teaching. In high school, its introduction is considered relevant since it will be part of higher education. AERO encourages the development of tailor-made tools that support reasoning rather than providing the answer, and invites parents to limit free access to AI at home.
Its executive director, Jenny Donovan, believes that AI can become a distraction and a crutch rather than a real learning tool. Education Minister Jason Clare said students with a high exposure to screens perform worse.
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