Indian students increasingly recognise artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for completing tasks faster, but many remain concerned about its impact on deeper learning. According to HP’s Futures 2026 global survey, students continue to value traditional study methods when they want to retain information.

AdvertisementThe Puranic

The survey covered more than 6,000 students worldwide, including 758 from India. It found that 82% of Indian respondents preferred conventional methods, such as handwriting or printing notes, when trying to remember what they had studied.

The findings highlight a distinction between using technology to improve productivity and using learning methods that help students understand and recall information. While AI tools can assist with tasks and provide quick access to information, students appear keen to preserve study habits they consider useful for long-term retention.

The survey also points to the importance of combining AI skills with abilities such as creativity and critical thinking. These skills remain relevant as students prepare for a changing job market in which technology is expected to play a significant role.

Confidence in formal education was also high among Indian respondents, with 92% believing their education was preparing them for employment, according to the report.

The findings suggest that students are not necessarily choosing between AI and traditional learning. Instead, they may be looking to use technology for efficiency while relying on established study techniques to reinforce understanding and memory.

As AI becomes more common in education, the challenge for schools and colleges will be to help students use these tools effectively without overlooking independent thinking, comprehension and active learning.