Pearson has announced that a new study analyzing nearly 80 million student interactions reveals that AI study tools integrated into its digital higher education materials significantly enhance students’ active reading behaviors, a vital skill linked to academic success.
Based in Hoboken, New Jersey, Pearson examined global interaction data from nearly 400,000 higher education students who utilized its digital resources during the semester starting January 2025. The results indicate that when AI tools are seamlessly embedded in course materials, students are more likely to engage in behaviors conducive to deeper understanding.
Link Between AI Use and Active Reading
The analysis revealed that a single engagement with Pearson’s AI study tool in a standalone eTextbook tripled the chance of a student being designated as an active reader. Frequent interactions raised this probability to 3.5 times.
In instructor-led digital courseware, the effects were even more striking. One use of the AI tool increased the likelihood of being classified as an active reader by 23 times, while repeat users were 24 times more likely to receive this classification.
Tom ap Simon, President of Higher Education at Pearson, expressed: “After two years of studying how students learn with AI, the findings indicate that responsibly designed AI, rooted in learning science, amplifies student engagement with digital materials. This research confirms that AI can be a genuine learning catalyst—equipping teachers with the tools to shift students from passive consumption to active reading and deeper cognitive engagement, both essential for success in college and beyond.”
Pearson characterizes active reading as incorporating strategies like highlighting, note-taking, asking clarifying questions, and recalling information. Such practices are closely tied to improved understanding, retention, and academic performance.
The company emphasizes that reading comprehension is among the strongest predictors of early college GPA. However, national assessments reveal a concerning trend: only 39 percent of students who took the ACT in 2025 achieved college-level reading standards, and nearly half of professors observed that first-year students are “much less prepared” for in-depth reading and analysis compared to those who entered college before the pandemic.
Mitigating AI Misuse Concerns
Pearson has designed its AI tools to minimize the risks associated with cognitive offloading and overdependence.
Dr. Emily Lai, Head of Research at Pearson and co-author of the study, stated: “Active reading is one of the most effective strategies for building lasting knowledge and skills. Concerns regarding cognitive offloading and students’ overreliance on AI are important topics for educators, which we are actively examining and addressing. This emphasizes the importance of how we integrate AI into the learning process, ensuring it enhances rather than replaces learning.”
A separate analysis from Fall 2025 of a widely adopted introductory biology eTextbook found that 97 percent of students used Pearson’s AI study tool responsibly. The remaining three percent attempted to input homework or assessment questions into the tool.
Additionally, the analysis revealed that one in three students using the tool’s question-asking feature were engaged in higher-order thinking, posing questions that exceeded basic recall and comprehension as defined by Bloom’s Taxonomy, opting instead to apply, analyze, or evaluate course material. This finding is consistent with prior research on learning outcomes conducted in June 2025.
Impact on Digital Higher Education
Pearson reports that over 80 percent of its offerings are now digital or digitally enabled. Unlike general-purpose AI chat tools, the company asserts that its generative AI applications are founded on learning science, vetted by subject matter experts, and designed to achieve tangible learning outcomes.
The extensive dataset comprising nearly 80 million interactions is expected to garner significant attention from educational institutions assessing the role of integrated AI in their course materials. These findings contribute to an ongoing discussion that weighs whether AI in education facilitates quick fixes or nurtures deeper cognitive involvement.
For both edtech providers and universities, the focal point is shifting from whether students utilize AI to how the design of these tools influences their learning behaviors.
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open for submissions, aiming to honor organizations in education technology that demonstrate measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards welcome entries globally, including the UK and the Americas, with a focus on evidence of outcomes and practical application.
