The "curse of knowledge" means smarter AI models don't understand where human learners struggle
2026-01-05
Summary
A study reveals that large language models (LLMs) like GPT-5 struggle to understand why certain exam questions are difficult for human learners, a phenomenon dubbed the "curse of knowledge." Despite their ability to solve tough questions, these AI models fail to accurately assess difficulty from a human perspective, often showing little correlation with human difficulty ratings.
Why This Matters
This finding challenges the idea that AI can effectively replace human insight in educational settings, especially in areas like curriculum design and adaptive learning. It highlights a significant limitation of AI in understanding human learning struggles, suggesting that simply relying on AI's problem-solving abilities is insufficient for educational purposes.
How You Can Use This Info
For educators and professionals, this study underscores the importance of using AI as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement for human insight in education. Consider integrating AI with traditional methods and using student error data to help AI models better align with human learning challenges. Embracing a balanced approach that includes both AI-assisted and traditional learning methods can optimize educational outcomes.