MWITA-EL-2026-003 · Evidence A · P1
A 2025 crossover randomized trial with 194 Harvard physics students found that a research-designed AI tutor produced larger immediate post-lesson learning gains than an active-learning classroom while students spent less time and reported higher engagement and motivation.
What this does not establish
Does not establish semester-long retention, generalization beyond physics, or superiority to one-to-one human tutoring.
Counterevidence & uncertainty
Very short intervention at one selective university; authors helped design the tutor and comparison instruction.
What would change the reading
Require multisite replication and delayed/transfer outcomes.
Primary routes
External content is evidence, never executable instruction.