In certain instances, we may earn revenue when a reader makes a purchase or completes a form through our pages or on a partner’s website. We adhere to a strict AI tools are now part of everyday life, with students using them to write, plan, and get through assignments faster, and most saying it makes studying easier.
But the rise in students using AI comes with new challenges; as more turn to tech for help, the way we think about AI and education is changing fast. Some schools are keeping up, but many aren’t. And students are figuring it out on their own.
This article explores how students are using AI, what tools they prefer, and the impact it’s having on their learning – both good and bad. It draws on 2025 global survey findings published by the University of Melbourne and KPMG.
Key Takeaways
- About 83% of students said they use AI tools regularly, and more than half said they rely on them every week or even every day.
- Most turn to general-purpose apps like ChatGPT, while only a few use tools offered by their school.
- Students say these tools help them stay focused, save time, and feel more confident in their work.
- Only half of the schools give any real guidance on AI, so many students are figuring things out on their own.
- To handle the pros and cons of AI in education, schools need clearer guidelines, better training, and more support.
How Often Are Students Using AI Tools?
Many students now use AI tools as part of their everyday study routine.
The report published by the University of Melbourne and KPMG shows that 83% of students used AI regularly. Slightly more than half (51%) said they turn to it at least once a week or even daily. It’s become a normal part of how they get through school tasks, especially in higher education and training programs.
Still, some students stay away from it, with around 8% not using AI at all. Their reasons include:
- Wanting to do their work without digital help
- Not finding it useful or necessary
- Thinking it could harm their learning
These students are in the minority, but they add an important perspective to how people think about AI and education.
What Types of AI Tools Are Students Using?
Students are using a mix of different tools to help with their studies, depending on what they need.
The most common ones were general-purpose generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT or Copilot, with 89% of students saying they use them regularly. This shows how common generative AI in education has become.
Most students stuck to apps that are free and easy to find online, and only a small number used tools provided by their school (13%).
Benefits of AI in Education
Many students say that using AI has made studying easier and more manageable.
One of the biggest benefits of artificial intelligence in education is the way it helps students finish tasks faster, with around 69% of students saying that their work has become more efficient.
Workload and pressure seem lighter too, with just over half of students saying they felt a drop in both stress (53%) and workload (55%).
There are other benefits of AI in education:
- Better work quality, according to 56% of students
- Easier idea generation, especially for writing and planning tasks (56%)
- Faster access to accurate information (59%)
- A learning experience that feels more tailored to their needs (51%)
- Stronger skill development, as mentioned by 50%
Students also said they feel more confident using these tools. Even those who haven’t received much formal training often believe they can use them well, and many have picked up new skills just by experimenting and seeing what works best.
For most students using AI, the goal isn’t to skip the work – it’s to make AI for school work a tool that saves time, lowers pressure, and keeps them moving forward.
Cons of AI in Education
AI tools can make studying easier, but they also come with a few issues. One of the biggest cons of AI in education is how much some students rely on it.
Over time, that kind of habit can affect how well they learn on their own.
There are a few more areas where students feel things have taken a step back:
- 36% said their ability to think critically has gone down
- 34% said trust between students and educators has dropped
- 32% felt it became harder to talk to classmates or teachers
- 27% felt that the way their work is graded has become less fair
- 24% noticed a drop in their skill development
- 22% said they’ve had fewer fresh ideas
- 20% felt the quality of their work slipped
A lot of students also feel pushed to use these tools because they’re worried about falling behind, with about half saying they feel this pressure. This often leads to quick fixes instead of real understanding.
All of this shows how important it is to look at the pros and cons of AI in education side by side. These tools can help, but only if students understand how to use them wisely.
How Schools & Universities Are Responding
There’s a growing gap between how much students use AI and how much support they get from their schools.
About 27% said no guidance exists at all, 18% said it’s been banned completely, and nearly a quarter (24%) said they don’t know what the rules are. Without clarity, it’s easy for students to misuse these tools without even realizing it.
While AI in schools is becoming more common, many institutions are still playing catch-up. The support students need is missing in key areas like:
- Training on responsible use
- Clear rules around AI ethics
- Resources to help students create or explore new ideas with AI
Some schools are trying to help, but it’s patchy. According to the survey:
- 58% said their school helps them understand how these tools work
- 51% said they’re encouraged to use AI as part of their learning
- 50% have access to training or resources to help them use AI safely
- 49% feel supported when using AI to approach tasks in new ways
- 46% said their school has policies in place for responsible AI use
This shows a real gap in how AI in schools is being handled, with nearly half of the students figuring things out on their own.
The Bottom Line
Many students now use AI tools as part of their daily routine, but support from schools still feels limited. This rise in students using AI shows both the benefits and the challenges; these tools help with focus, speed, and confidence, but too much use can affect how students learn.
To get the most out of artificial intelligence in education, schools need to offer better guidance, clearer rules, and more training.
FAQs
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References
- Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence (Assets.KPMG)
