Why it’s still open
Experts seem to absorb AI; novices and struggling learners are hurt most, and gaps widen. At work, entry-level tasks are being absorbed by seniors with AI, which may remove the struggle through which juniors become seniors. Adolescents, with the most at stake developmentally, are barely studied.
What would count as an answer
Studies across levels of expertise that locate where AI help turns from harmful to helpful, and follow juniors’ growth over time.
Papers that tackle it
- Prather et al 2024 - The widening gap — Strong novices gain; struggling ones gain an illusion of competence.
- Shen Tamkin 2026 - How AI impacts skill formation — Junior developers learning a new library.
- Bastani et al 2025 - Generative AI can harm learning — High-school students.
Methods in play
Who’s closest
Placed by the editor, v1 — corrections welcome.
Related questions
Know a paper that belongs here, or think this is framed wrongly? Suggest a paper or a correction (forms on the Atlas home).