Many Gen Z students are arriving at college unable to complete reading assignments at levels previously expected, prompting professors to change how they teach and raising concerns about the long-term impact on learning, critical thinking and social development.
Some educators say students are struggling to understand even basic sentences and increasingly rely on AI-generated summaries instead of reading assigned materials, reported Fortune.
Jessica Hooten Wilson, a professor of great books and humanities at Pepperdine University, told Fortune that the issue extends beyond critical thinking.
“It’s not even an inability to critically think,” Wilson said. “It’s an inability to read sentences.”
The report noted that nearly half of Americans did not read a single book in 2025, while adults ages 18 to 29 read an average of 5.8 books during the year.
Reading Decline
The concerns come as broader education data point to worsening academic outcomes. The 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that reading and math proficiency declined in 47 states between 2019 and 2024, contributing to a broader deterioration in child wellbeing.
Some researchers have also questioned whether increased screen use is affecting learning habits. Earlier this year, neuroscientist and educator Jared Cooney Horvath told lawmakers that cognitive development has stalled or reversed in some areas across developed countries. He cited research showing that heavier classroom computer use is associated with weaker performance in reading, mathematics and science, while arguing that digital platforms can encourage habits that conflict with sustained learning.
Fortune reported that professors are increasingly adapting their teaching methods by reading passages aloud in class, discussing texts line by line and spending more time helping students process complex material.
Career Impact
Educators say the consequences could extend beyond the classroom.
Timothy O’Malley, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, told Fortune that students who once handled 25 to 40 pages of assigned reading often now struggle to know where to begin, with many relying on AI-generated summaries instead.
The debate comes as employers warn that younger workers are entering an increasingly competitive labor market. At Fortune’s Workplace Innovation Summit, WeWork and Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) CEO John Santora said entry-level hiring is under pressure as artificial intelligence reshapes workforce needs, while emphasizing that leadership, communication and mentoring skills remain difficult to automate.
Despite declining reading habits among younger Americans, many business leaders continue to champion the practice. Former Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) president Jon McNeill recently described reading as the most important habit for career success, citing both Warren Buffett and Elon Musk as leaders who have credited reading with shaping their learning and decision-making.
Wilson told Fortune that the decline in reading could affect more than academic performance, arguing that reading helps build empathy, friendship and a sense of community.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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