Can we outsource learning to a bot? A fascinating new study delves into this question by comparing how students learn using LLMs like ChatGPT, traditional web searches, and good old-fashioned books. The results challenge some common assumptions about AI in education. The researchers found students using LLMs learned and connected key concepts faster than those with books or search engines! Contrary to fears of passive learning, LLM users showed high engagement. They actively searched, questioned, and explored just as much as, if not more than, their book-loving peers. However, there's a catch. While LLMs excelled in quickly building knowledge, books proved superior for retention. Two weeks later, book users had cemented their understanding more effectively. This points towards a powerful combination: using LLMs for initial exploration and then diving deeper with books for long-term mastery. The study also revealed how learning styles vary. High-achieving students prioritized deep reading, while lower-performing students focused on task completion, suggesting personalized AI learning tools could be incredibly beneficial. These findings highlight the exciting potential of LLMs not as replacements for traditional methods, but as powerful complements. Imagine a future where AI guides initial learning, personalizes the experience, and then seamlessly hands off to richer, more in-depth resources like books, creating a learning journey that's both efficient and enduring.