# Most UK teenagers do not use AI as a default for homework, research finds > UK teens can't agree on AI cheating rules: 44% say using AI to complete all homework is fine, but 19% call it cheating just to ask for tips. Only 15% say their school has given them enough guidance. - Type: AI news - Page: https://completeaitraining.com/news/most-uk-teenagers-do-not-use-ai-as-a-default-for-homework/ - Published: 2026-06-10 - Updated: 2026-06-10 - Author: Jeroen Erne - Jobs: Education - Reading time: 2 min ### Teenagers remain uncertain about appropriate AI use in schoolwork Nearly 4,000 UK teenagers aged 13-18 hold conflicting views on when using AI for schoolwork crosses into cheating, according to new research. While 44% don't consider it cheating to use AI to complete all their homework, 19% think it's cheating to ask an AI tool for homework tips. The findings reveal a generation that hasn't settled on clear boundaries for AI in education-even as schools begin integrating the technology into classrooms. #### Most students want teacher guidance they're not getting Only 15% of students said they've received enough guidance on appropriate AI use from their schools. At the same time, 77% want to see their teachers use AI to support lessons, particularly to explain complex concepts and assist with lesson planning. Students recognize teachers bring something AI cannot. Seventy-three percent identified a skill their teacher possesses that no AI tool can replicate-personability, empathy, and human understanding among the most cited. #### AI isn't the default choice for most students When given the option to use generative AI for a written exercise, 72% of students chose not to. Among those without access to AI, only 23% said they would have used it. Just 24% of students regularly seek out AI tools for homework. Teacher recommendations influence 34% of students who use AI, compared to 13% influenced by peers. #### Students prefer AI that teaches, not answers When asked what helps them learn more effectively with AI, 44% preferred tools that suggest tasks to deepen understanding. Forty-one percent wanted AI to ask questions that guide them toward answers themselves. Only 20% wanted an AI tool to provide answers directly. Overall, 39% of students feel more excited than worried about AI's impact on their education, while 16% expressed concern. Thirty percent felt neutral. #### What educators should take from this The research suggests students view AI as a tool requiring adult guidance, not a shortcut they instinctively reach for. Schools that provide clear frameworks for responsible AI use-and show teachers how to incorporate it into lessons-are more likely to see students use it productively. For educators looking to support students effectively, resources on [AI for Teachers](https://completeaitraining.com/learningpath/ai-for-teachers/) can help clarify how to guide classroom AI use. Additional context on [AI for Education](https://completeaitraining.com/tag/education/) offers broader perspective on integrating these tools responsibly. --- This is the Markdown form of https://completeaitraining.com/news/most-uk-teenagers-do-not-use-ai-as-a-default-for-homework/. The whole site is mapped at https://completeaitraining.com/llms.txt.