Technologies evolve, but some things never change. Students seek shortcuts to save time and effort on assignments, while teachers develop new methods for detecting and preventing cheating. Meanwhile, AI tools have gone far beyond school tasks, now impacting academic success, shaping essential future skills, and even affecting the students’ mental health. How has the AI role in academia changed over the years? Let’s look into statistics.

AI tools in online learning

In 2025, BestColleges surveyed 1000 online college students and 74 college and university administrators.

  • 72% of responding school administrators admit that AI tools are beneficial for the learning process.
  • 64% of respondents believe that AI can personalize the online learning experience for students.
  • 60% of currently enrolled online students have implemented AI tools to help with exams or assignments.
  • 60% of online students say their schools introduce guidelines regarding ethical AI implementation.
  • 47% of surveyed students trust colleges to use AI tools to process and sort through college admission applications.
  • 44% of respondents would trust educational institutions to use AI tools to help make college admission decisions.

AI tools and academic success

According to Stanford University Human-Centered AI research, 81% of K–12 Computer Science teachers in the US believe AI should be part of foundational Computer Science education. At the same time, less than 50% admit being equipped to teach it.

A Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) report reveals a dramatic increase in the number of university students using AI tools since 2024. In 2025, HEPI surveyed 1,041 students around the UK to release the following data.

  • In 2025, 88% of students used generative AI tools like ChatGPT for assessments, compared to 53% in 2024.
  • 45% admit they have used AI at school.
  • 29% respondents report that their educational institution encourages AI use, while 40% disagree with this statement.
  • 34% of students believe they would put more effort into exam preparation if it were assessed partially or fully by AI; 29% think they would put less effort, and 27% say this factor won’t affect them.
  • 51% of students use AI tools to save time, and 50% want to improve their work quality.
  • 53% of students are put off using AI by worries about AI abuse accusations, while 51% are concerned about inaccurate results, and only 15% consider the environmental impact of the AI tools.
  • 59% of surveyed students agree that AI has significantly impacted the way they are assessed.
  • 80% of respondents reckon their educational institution provided clear instructions regarding AI use, and 76% believe their teachers would spot AI misuse in the assignments.
  • 67% believe AI is essential in the modern world.
  • 36% of the surveyed students have received AI skills training from their institution.
  • In 2024, only 18% of the respondents thought the university staff were equipped for dealing with AI, while in 2025, this number increased to 42%.
  • According to the survey results, “male students, students on STEM and Health courses and more socioeconomically advantaged students more likely to use AI than others.”

How students use AI in 2025

  • 92% of students confess they have used AI tools this year, while in 2024 the number was 66%. Most of the respondents mention generating text and accessing university textbooks as the most popular reasons for incorporating AI tools.
  • In 2024, 47% of students reported never using AI to explain concepts, summarise articles, or brainstorm, while in 2025, only 12% reported not using AI tools for the mentioned purposes.

 

  • 58% ask to explain concepts (versus 36% in 2024)
  • 48% ask to summarize an article (versus 24% in 2024)
  • 41% ask to suggest research ideas (versus 25% in 2024)
  • 39% to structure their thoughts;
  • 25% to assess the work after editing (versus 13% in 2024)
  • 18% to assess the work after editing with AI (versus 5% in 2024)
  • 8% to assess the work without edits (versus 3% in 2024)

AI tools and students’ well-being

According to the 2025 survey conducted by The Center for Democracy & Technology, the majority of students and teachers have used AI tools in the 2024-25 school year.

  • 85% of teachers and 86% of students admit they use AI, with 50% of students using AI tools for school-related tasks.
  • 50% of students confess that incorporating AI tools in class makes them feel less connected to their teachers.

The poll results highlight the issue of AI abuse extending beyond academic integrity violations.

  • 42% of the students use AI to access mental health support.
  • 42% talk to AI chatbots as a friend or companion.
  • 19% chat with AI to have a romantic relationship.
  • 42% use AI as a way to escape from real life.

 

  • One in five students reports knowing someone who has had a romantic relationship with AI.
  • 31% of students admit they use AI chatbots for personal reasons unrelated to schoolwork on school-provided devices or software.
  • 38% of students confess it’s easier for them to talk to an AI chatbot than to their parents.
  • Seven in ten teachers admit the concerns regarding AI tools weakening the essential skills students are meant to acquire during the class.
  • One in ten teachers reports having received information or training on their actions in case they suspect students’ AI use negatively affects their wellbeing.

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