Vietnam's Students Suffer from 'Speed-Reading Syndrome' in AI Era

The PISA 2025 survey results released by the OECD reveal that 59% of 15-year-old students in Vietnam do not meet basic reading comprehension standards. Experts suggest that the changing landscape of information consumption, particularly the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and short-form videos, is contributing to a decline in students' patience with long texts and their capacity for deep reading. Notably, there has been a significant increase in students exhibiting "speed-reading syndrome," characterized by rapid but inaccurate responses. Performance on tasks requiring the comprehension of lengthy texts has also seen a marked decrease. Experts underscore that reading comprehension serves as the bedrock for all academic subjects, and in the current AI-driven era, the ability to critically evaluate information is indispensable. While factors such as parental engagement and a home reading culture have traditionally been considered, educational specialists are now focusing on the evolving habits of information consumption. The pervasive presence of short-video platforms has conditioned young individuals to process fragmented and rapidly changing data, which can diminish their capacity for sustained reading, following complex arguments, and independently synthesizing information. Furthermore, the significant adoption of AI chatbots, with 69% of Vietnamese students reporting their use for tasks like text summarization (47%) and essay writing (52%), prompts concerns that AI might be substituting cognitive processes, thereby contributing to a decline in reading comprehension skills. In the face of the burgeoning prevalence of AI and social media, experts propose that the education system should adapt its methodologies rather than implement outright bans. Educators are encouraged to shift their role from being mere conveyors of knowledge to becoming architects of meaningful learning experiences that guide students in processing and critically assessing information. AI can be transformed into a "thinking partner" that stimulates cognitive processes, for instance, by having students analyze AI-generated answers, verify data, and propose revisions, thereby directly cultivating critical evaluation and independent thinking skills. At a macro level, the education sector is urged to transition its focus from knowledge memorization to the cultivation of application, problem-solving, and critical thinking competencies. Deep reading should be integrated across a wider range of subjects, moving beyond its traditional confinement to language arts. Finally, families play a crucial role in nurturing students' reading habits. The ultimate goal is not merely to read extensively, but to read reflectively and critically. By fostering an environment that encourages inquiry among families, schools, and society, students can develop independent thinking and lifelong learning capabilities—essential "weapons" for navigating the digital age, according to educators.