According to a new survey by Coursera, one in three students (33%) believe that utilising AI in their studies helps them prepare for the workforce. However, the survey, which included 1,000 students and 500 educators across UK universities, showed that 23% of students would use AI more if they had a better understanding of the technology.
Regardless of the positive sides of AI, its integration into academic work appears to be less widespread than expected. Educators estimate that 43% of university assignments involve AI assistance, while students report a lower figure, leveraging AI for only about 24% of their tasks. The primary applications among students include research (56%), exam preparation (43%), and content writing, such as essays and assignments (39%). In addition, over one-fifth of students (21%) do not use AI in their university work.
The results are promising for those who embrace AI, with more than half (52%) of students feeling their grades have improved since incorporating AI tools, with 8% noting substantial enhancements. The sentiment towards AI’s impact on higher education is mainly positive, with 85% of educators and 67% of students agreeing on its benefits. The most commonly cited advantages include personalized learning (51%), increased productivity (47%), and better support (45%).
However, there is a disparity between educators’ and students’ views. While 72% of educators believe AI has improved the quality of higher education, only 44% of students share this belief. Furthermore, 42% of universities have added AI literacy to their curricula, indicating a shift towards preparing students for a technology-driven workforce.
Marni Baker Stein, Coursera’s chief content officer, noted that AI already delivers tangible benefits in higher education, from enhanced student grades to improved educator productivity. However, she cautioned against misjudging student engagement with AI, which could lead to overly restrictive policies. Instead, universities should focus on developing comprehensive AI literacy programs.