From Editorial Board
Debonita Saha
M.Sc. Physics, Christ University, Bangalore, Deputy Manager, Global R-Hub
Artificial Intelligence is no longer something on the horizon; it’s really shaping our present. From classrooms to career paths, AI is transforming how students learn, process information, and make decisions. Reports show that over 90% of students now use AI tools in some form, making it one of the fastest-adopted technologies in education.
But this also raises an important question: If AI can write, solve, and generate, what remains for students to truly learn?
The shift isn’t about learning less, but learning differently. Education is moving away from simply consuming information toward developing ownership over ideas. While AI can deliver answers instantly, it cannot replace curiosity, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, or originality. The fact that growing reliance on AI risks weakening independent thought and creating an illusion of understanding.
So the real skills students must build today are:
Asking better questions
Interpreting and challenging AI outputs
Connecting knowledge across disciplines
Creating, not just generating
As AI continues to advance, the edition focuses on the one thing that must not be automated: how students think.
Big Global News
1. Schools Are Reconsidering AI Use After Concerns of “Cognitive Dependency.”
A report highlighted by researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology warns that excessive reliance on AI tools in education could lead to cognitive atrophy, reducing students’ ability to think independently. Early observations indicate that students who frequently depend on AI show lower engagement in problem-solving and weaker memory retention. These findings are fueling global debate on how far AI should be integrated into classrooms, and at what cost to learning. Educators are divided; some see AI as a powerful learning aid, while others argue it risks replacing critical thinking rather than supporting it. Policymakers and schools are now grappling with whether to regulate AI use strictly or redesign learning to integrate it responsibly.
2. AI Cheating Cases Surge, Universities Struggle to Detect Original Work
Colleges across the U.S. are reintroducing oral exams as AI is making written assignments unreliable. Professors have reported that students are submitting perfect AI-generated work, but are unable to explain it when questioned about it. At institutions like Cornell and UPenn, students now defend their answers face-to-face in “oral defenses.” Educators have emphasized that this shift is going beyond concerns of cheating; it’s reflecting a deeper issue of declining critical thinking and genuine understanding. The focus is moving away from simply producing answers to demonstrating true comprehension, essentially asking, " Do students actually understand what they’ve learned?
Expert Mentor’s Corner
By Angana Chakraborty
MSc. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Amsterdam, AI/ML Engineer,
Project Mentor, Global R-Hub
AI as Tool vs. Research as Skill
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
The point is simple: research happens at the very edge of human knowledge. If you already have a roadmap, a set of instructions, or a list of predictable outcomes, you aren’t really doing research anymore. You are either verifying a known fact or executing a pre-written script. Over centuries, we have refined the pursuit of knowledge into a rigorous procedure: hypothesis formation, literature review, data collection, analysis, and peer review. Each step exists for a reason. It is a form of intellectual apprenticeship – a process where you don't just find answers, but spend years mastering the craft of asking the right questions. Our relentless pursuit of advancement has taken us from a primitive lifestyle to coexisting with artificial intelligence. The struggle of inquiry is our greatest advantage. If we abandon it, we aren't just outsourcing our work; we are outsourcing our evolution. AI has changed what research looks like in practice. In 2024, Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold 3 revolutionized biology by predicting molecular structures in minutes that once took decades to solve. AI, used smartly, can assist with literature searches or data visualization. However, the intellectual ownership of a research question must remain with the student. This is where mentorship becomes essential. Mentors help students figure out where AI tools are actually helping and where they’re just shortcutting their growth. Most importantly, they challenge the students to own the logic behind their work, making sure they can explain the 'why' instead of just leaning on whatever the tool handed them. The takeaway for students is simple: think of AI as a high-powered telescope. It lets you see further, but it cannot tell you where to look. That sense of direction – which question is worth your time, which gap in the literature deserves years of your life – is something you build slowly, and rarely alone. It is often shaped through the guidance of a mentor who has been down the same road before you. No model can replicate that. As you rethink your relationship with these tools, ask yourself honestly: Can you defend your research question without them? Can you explain your methodology in your own words, without defaulting to AI? While AI can speed up the grunt work, it cannot speed up the part where you develop a feel for your field – that instinct that tells you something is off even when the data looks fine, or that a question nobody is asking might be the most important one. That instinct is slow to build and impossible to borrow. So, use the tools, but don't let them think. The work that matters will always come down to your own willingness to stay in the mess and the 'I don't know' until you find something worth saying.
Impact of Student Research
1. Youth Leading AI Ethics – Student Initiative
Sneha Revanur, a student at Williams College, founded Encode Justice, a youth-led global movement advocating for ethical AI systems. She began working on this at just the age of 15 after recognizing the existing racial bias in algorithmic decision-making, and since then, it has grown into a network of over 600 students spread across 40 countries, focused on AI policy and awareness.
This initiative has gone beyond just awareness, reaching policymakers by sending an open letter to the U.S. Congress and the White House, urging that young voices be included in AI regulation discussions.
2. Rethinking Learning with AI – Student Initiative
Dhumik Pravin, a student innovator, founded LearningRO, which is an AI-powered learning platform. He started developing it as part of a college assignment, then extended it into a fully functional educational tool. It is designed to move beyond shortcut-based AI answers available in the market. This platform focuses on step-by-step explanations, guided learning, and conceptual clarity.
Research Spotlight:
Global R-Hub Student Project!
Student: Anshul R. Chikkamath | Mentor: Dr. Neharika Shrivastava, PhD. | Global Faculty: Dr Shivendu S.
Anshul R. Chikkamath from The Learning Curve International, under the mentorship of Dr. Neharika Shrivastava (Director, Global R-Hub), is working on a policy-focused research study examining the impact of India’s National Millet Mission on agricultural outcomes.
The project explores how large-scale government initiatives influence crop productivity, combining data analysis with policy evaluation to understand real-world effectiveness. It particularly focuses on identifying patterns, trends, and broader factors shaping millet production across different crop types.
This research reflects how students can engage with live policy questions, data-driven analysis, and sustainability challenges, building insights that connect economics, agriculture, and climate considerations.
Did you know?
1. Did you know?
As per the Digital Education Council, 86% of students globally use AI in their studies, including 54% who use it weekly and 25% who use it daily
2. Did you know?
Inquiry-based learning approaches have been shown to improve retention and understanding significantly compared to passive learning methods, especially in science and problem-solving subjects.
3. Did you know?
Employers today are prioritizing cognitive skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and decision-making over just technical knowledge, because the ability to think, learn, and solve problems matters more in a rapidly changing, AI-driven world.
Global R-Hub Highlights
1. Global Admissions Powered by Research
We are proud to celebrate the global academic achievements of Global R-Hub students whose research journeys have strengthened their university applications and academic profiles.
Student Name: Siri Vadlamudi | Mentor: Dr. Neharika Shrivastava, PhD. | Global Faculty: Dr Shivendu S.
We are proud to highlight the academic journey of Vadlamudi Siri Meghana from ARCA Global Indian International School, whose research experience has strengthened her global academic profile. She has received an admission offer from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), reflecting the strength of her academic and research journey. Her research on “E-Waste and the Circular Economy: A Comparative Analysis of South Asian and Western European Countries” was published in the Curieux Academy Journal, showcasing her work in sustainability and global policy analysis.
Mentors & Global Faculties:
1. Dr. Sandhya Verma
PhD Chemistry, Macquarie University, Sydney, Project Mentor, Global R Hub
Dr. Sandhya Verma is a research professional with extensive experience in academic mentoring, data-driven research, and interdisciplinary project guidance. As a Project Mentor at Global R-Hub, she supports students in developing structured research, critical thinking, and impactful academic outcomes.
2. Paavan Joshi
Architecture, Iowa State University – College of Design, Project Mentor, Global R Hub
Paavan Joshi is an architectural designer at HKS with a background in computational design, digital fabrication, and sustainable built environments, having completed his Master’s from Iowa State University. As a Project Mentor at Global R-Hub, he guides students in applying design thinking, research, and technology to solve real-world challenges.
Stay tuned for our next edition, where we introduce more powerhouse mentors
and global faculty shaping the future of research and innovation!
With every edition, we strive to bring you inspiring stories, impactful insights, and the latest updates from the world of research. Keep innovating, keep growing, and stay tuned for more exciting updates in our next edition!
Want to explore our programs or create your research journey with us? Connect with us and be part of the global research revolution!
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