As artificial intelligence becomes a daily companion for students, helping them solve coding problems, complete assignments and prepare for exams within seconds, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has issued a stark warning: excessive dependence on AI could end up damaging learning rather than improving it.
Reacting to reports of rising failure rates in computer science courses at University of California, Berkeley, Vembu said students who rely too heavily on AI tools risk losing the ability to think, analyse and solve problems on their own.
“AI can make you smarter faster, but it can also make you dumber faster,” Vembu wrote on social media.
The Berkeley Warning Sign
The debate gained momentum after data from UC Berkeley revealed unusually high failure rates in several computer science courses during the Spring 2026 semester.
According to reports, more than one-third of students in some introductory computer science classes failed, marking a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Several faculty members pointed to the growing use of AI tools as a possible factor. Educators observed that while many students performed well on assignments completed with AI assistance, they struggled during exams where they had to solve problems independently.
Some professors also reported cases of students violating academic integrity rules by using AI-generated solutions in assessments.
Convenience vs Learning
AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude have transformed education by providing instant answers, explanations and coding assistance. However, Vembu believes there is a crucial difference between using AI as a learning aid and allowing it to do all the thinking.
According to him, students should first master fundamentals before turning to AI for support. Otherwise, they may become dependent on technology without truly understanding the concepts they are studying.
He cited research suggesting that while AI can boost short-term academic performance, excessive dependence may weaken long-term comprehension, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
The Bigger Concern
Educators across the world are increasingly debating whether AI is creating a generation of students who can produce answers quickly but struggle when asked to think independently.
Experts argue that if students rely on chatbots for every solution, they may miss out on the mental effort required to build deep understanding, creativity and analytical skills.
Which Careers Will Survive AI?
Interestingly, Vembu has also spoken about careers that he believes will remain valuable even in an AI-driven future.
According to him, professions built around human relationships, trust, culture and purpose are far less vulnerable to automation. He has highlighted areas such as teaching, childcare, elderly care, farming, classical arts, environmental conservation and religious services as examples of work where human involvement remains irreplaceable.
Vembu’s Core Message
Vembu is not arguing against AI. Instead, he believes students should treat it as a tool rather than a substitute for learning.
His warning is simple: use AI to enhance your intelligence, not to replace it. Because while technology can provide answers instantly, it cannot build understanding unless students do the thinking themselves.