# AI May Be Classroom’s Unlikely Ally

> AI tutors boost learning gains and student engagement over traditional classrooms.
- Title: AI May Be Classroom’s Unlikely Ally · Pymnts | Shortify
- Summary: AI tutors boost learning gains and student engagement over traditional classrooms. Harvard and MIT study shows AI tutors produce more than double learning…
- Keywords: ai tutor, harvard, mit, ps2 pal, active learning, learning gains, student engagement, education, business, finance, May, Classroom
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/ai-may-be-the-classrooms-most-unlikely-ally
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-28T08:00:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai tutor, harvard, mit, ps2 pal, active learning, learning gains, student engagement, education, business, finance
## AI Tutors Outperform Classrooms
A Harvard and MIT randomized controlled trial found students using an AI tutor produced more than double the learning gains of students in a best-practice active learning classroom.
## Students Report Higher Engagement
Students using the AI tutor also reported feeling more engaged and motivated compared to traditional active learning classes.
## PS2 Pal Delivers Results
The AI tutor PS2 Pal outperformed best practice active learning classrooms by providing structured practice, timely feedback, and self-paced learning.
## Educators as Co-Designers
Brookings found that when educators co-design AI tools from the start, the results shift from passive answer delivery to agentic teaching that builds critical skills.
## Real-World Applications
Junior Achievement programs use AI agents to give students real-time feedback on pitching products to investors before presenting to actual business leaders.
## Personalized Learning at Scale
Districts deploying AI for personalized instruction and early attendance intervention are getting ahead of the learning crisis rather than reacting to it.
## Key takeaway

Harvard and MIT study shows AI tutors produce more than double learning gains compared to active learning classrooms, with students reporting higher engagement.