A new survey of high school students finds AI has growing influence on whether students go to college, where they apply, and what they study.
AI in Education

Students say AI improves their performance, but most institutions lack formal AI policies


A new report shows half of U.S. higher-education institutions are unprepared to manage AI, despite students' enthusiasm

Key points:

AI adoption is widespread among U.S. university students and educators, yet half believe higher education is not fully prepared to manage its impact, according to a new survey released today by Coursera, a global online learning platform.

The AI in Higher Education Report, based on responses from more than 4,200 university students and educators across the United States, United Kingdom, India, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia, found that nearly all students and educators use AI to facilitate personalized training, provide real-time feedback, and increase productivity and efficiency.

“AI is delivering real benefits on campus, yet many institutions are still working to keep pace,” said Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “With only a small share of U.S. universities reporting a formal AI policy, there’s a clear need for stronger governance, faculty training, and thoughtful implementation. When we build confidence alongside capability, we can ensure AI truly expands opportunity for every learner.”

AI adoption on U.S. campuses shows that:

  • 78 percent of educators and students feel positive about AI’s impact on higher education, compared to 81 percent globally
  • 14 percent say it is having a negative impact, slightly higher than the 9 percent average across countries surveyed
  • 7 percent of students report not using AI at all, compared to 3 percent globally
  • 20 percent of educators report that their university has a formal AI policy in place
  • Half believe the higher education system is unprepared to handle AI

Globally, survey findings show:

  • 70 percent believe AI will improve exam performance and the overall quality of higher education
  • 63 percent of students say they use AI for less than half of their academic tasks, and only 5 percent use AI for more than 80% of their work
  • 80 percent of students say AI has positively supported their learning experience

Academic integrity and governance

Concerns remain around academic integrity and degree credibility. Across markets, 65% believe unregulated AI could undermine degree credibility, and 37% worry it will increase plagiarism. Students report heightened concern about cheating, with 40% viewing AI-related cheating as a significant threat.

Confidence among educators also appears limited. Only 27 percent of educators say they feel confident identifying AI-generated content, and just 25 percent believe they and their peers have the skills needed to use AI effectively.

The report also highlights governance and literacy gaps. Globally, 56 percent of students and educators believe their higher education system is unprepared to manage AI. Just 28 percent of educators say AI literacy has been incorporated into the curriculum. Additionally, 24 percent of students surveyed admit to submitting AI-generated work without disclosure.

Additional global findings

  • 95 percent of students and educators report using AI tools in their academic work
  • 37 percent worry AI may reduce human interaction and erode interpersonal skills
  • 53 percent of university students in India say AI positively impacts their studies
  • 91 percent of students and educators in Saudi Arabia report a positive overall impact
  • 69 percent of Mexican students say AI has improved their grades

As AI becomes embedded in higher education, institutions should prioritize faculty upskilling and clear governance, consistently and transparently communicated, to ensure responsible and effective adoption. Other report recommendations include:

  • Integrating AI literacy into professional development
  • Equipping educators with practical AI skills
  • Establishing transparent policies that guide appropriate use in teaching, assessment, and research

By grounding decisions in research, fostering human collaboration, and creating structured guidance for both faculty and students, universities can build confidence, protect academic standards, and harness AI to strengthen learning outcomes.

This press release originally appeared online.

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