AI may be making schoolwork faster, but Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes the trade-off could be worth considering. Speaking on The Ezra Klein Show, Huang discussed how AI is changing the way students learn, amid concerns that relying heavily on these tools could weaken basic skills. One study involving 26,000 students in China found that although AI helped children complete homework faster, their exam scores fell by as much as 20 percent over six months, highlighting the potential downside of convenience-driven learning.

Jensen Huang Says Basic Maths May Matter Less

Huang acknowledged that children are increasingly relying on technology instead of practising some fundamental maths skills. He pointed to long division, multiplication tables and square roots as examples of abilities that could gradually fade as AI handles more everyday calculations. Huang argued that this shift may not necessarily be a problem in a world where AI can perform such tasks instantly.

JENSEN HUANG DOESN’T THINK FORGETTING BASIC MATH IS A PROBLEM

A study of 26,000 students in China found AI helped students finish homework faster and score better on assignments, but their exam scores fell over time.

Huang wasn’t surprised.

“Basic math is being forgotten.”… pic.twitter.com/XHjZRcygta

— WOLF (@WOLF_Financial) September 25, 2026

‘We’re Going to Discover New Ones’

Huang suggested that the rise of AI could change which intellectual skills people need to develop. Rather than preserving every traditional skill, he expects people to gain new abilities that are more relevant to working with increasingly complex systems. He said some “finer intellectual dexterity” could be lost, but people might become stronger systems thinkers, capable of understanding and visualising larger, more complicated systems.

Huang Says He Forgets His Own Details

To explain his point about skills becoming less important, Huang shared that he does not remember basic personal information such as his home address or phone number. He recalled once being asked for his ZIP code while filling up his car and having to rely on others for the information. His argument was that people can function perfectly well without memorising every piece of information when technology and other people can provide it when needed.

AI Dependence Sparks Debate

Huang’s comments have also triggered criticism online, with some users questioning whether giving up basic skills could make people overly dependent on AI. The debate comes as researchers and AI executives continue discussing the technology’s impact on independent thinking and learning. Some studies have raised concerns about excessive AI use and cognitive reliance, while companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic have described futures where AI takes on increasingly complex tasks on behalf of users.

ALSO SEE: iPhone 18 Pro Too Expensive? Apple May Launch a Cheaper iPhone In The Next 6 Months