Seven Myths of AI use

In 2026, it is unavoidable to use the internet without encountering Artificial Intelligence (in short, AI). Search engines do not just search, but offer next to links answers generated by AI, chatbots help you with your bookings on websites, pupils in school generate themselves exemplary exams based on the study materials offered by their teachers, and so forth. However, neither outputs based on AI nor our usage thereof nor how we interpret it is accurate and without inherent problems. Partially, this is due to users’ misconceptions on how AI tools function. From where we are standing – and this is prior to empirical evidence – we argue that the following seven statements about AI warrant heightened attention, especially viewed with their implications for education, schools and universities: 1. AI tools are neutral, objective and unbiased 2. AI tools function logically 3. AI tools think and learn like humans 4. AI tools are empathetic 5. AI tools are ecologically and socially unproblematic 6. AI tools act in accordance with the law 7. AI tools render knowledge and competence acquisition obsolete In this article we address these so-called “Myths of AI use” and highlight that the underlying notions are not true and why so. We do so aiming to raise awareness, and to stimulate and support prospective research on AI myths.