Is Learning AI More Important Than College?
New research shows that half of college students consider learning how to use AI the most important skill they gain in higher education. A survey of 2,000 students revealed that 62% think using AI responsibly is crucial for their future careers and success.
Educators are adapting too. Only 28% of students feel their schools lag behind in adopting new technology. Nearly three-quarters (73%) say their school has an AI policy. These policies vary: about 30% allow AI for specific tasks, 31% permit broader use if cited properly, while 32% enforce a strict "no AI" rule.
Although 69% of students at schools with AI policies say most professors discuss these rules, just 11% report encouragement to use AI. The survey, commissioned by Grammarly and conducted by Talker Research, also explored how students use AI and how education is evolving around it.
Student Confidence and Concerns
Only 34% of students feel very confident they use AI ethically and responsibly for schoolwork. Despite this, 87% use AI for academic tasks, and 90% use AI for everyday life management, spending about five hours weekly on each.
More than half (55%) feel they lack proper guidance on AI use. Nearly half (46%) worry about potential trouble for using AI, and 10% have actually faced issues.
Jenny Maxwell, Head of Education at Grammarly, said, “AI is a core part of how students learn and prepare for what’s next. With many students unsure about how to use AI properly, educational institutions need to offer clear support.”
Peer Perceptions and AI Usage
Students are quickly adopting AI despite mixed school policies. Among peers, 37% say using AI is acceptable if disclosed properly, 25% view it as cheating, and 22% see it as smart and efficient.
Top uses of AI include brainstorming ideas (49%), checking grammar and spelling (42%), and understanding difficult class concepts (41%). Other uses are handling questions they feel embarrassed to ask (29%) and seeking life advice (25%).
Maxwell adds, “AI helps students overcome writer’s block, proofread work, and ask questions they might hesitate to raise in class. This presents a chance for educators to guide students on using AI effectively and confidently.”
Top 10 Ways Students Use AI
- Helping brainstorm ideas - 49%
- Spelling and grammar checks - 42%
- Understanding difficult class concepts - 41%
- Understanding concepts outside school (taxes, finances, travel) - 35%
- Fleshing out thoughts and ideas - 34%
- Questions students are embarrassed to ask in person - 29%
- General life advice (planning, etc.) - 25%
- Resume support - 25%
- Creating notecards and study tools - 24%
- Interview preparation help - 22%
Survey Details
The survey targeted 2,000 Americans aged 18 and older pursuing higher education (bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate). Conducted online by Talker Research between July 1 and July 9, the study applied quality checks to ensure reliable data.
Participants were recruited through online panels and programmatic options, with measures to exclude bots, duplicates, speeders, and irrelevant responses. The survey was only available to individuals with internet access, limiting generalizability.
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