Beyond AI Familiarity: What Really Improves Student Performance?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of how university students study, write, research, and solve problems. Yet an important question remains: does frequent use of AI actually improve academic performance? In this episode, we explore findings from a study conducted among undergraduate business students in the UAE, comparing students who received a two-day hands-on AI training intervention with those who did not. The results raise an interesting possibility. Students may feel confident using AI tools such as ChatGPT, yet still struggle to apply them effectively in structured academic tasks. We discuss what truly matters in AI education, why guided practice matters, and what business schools may need to rethink moving forward.