A new study conducted by global education technology firm Turnitin reveals that students are more apprehensive about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education than educators or academic administrators. The research, based on a survey of 3,500 participants from the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and India, sheds light on the complex attitudes towards AI’s role in both secondary and higher education.
The report, titled Crossroads: Navigating the Intersection of AI and Academia, was produced in partnership with independent research firm Vanson Bourne. It highlights that 64 percent of students express concern about AI’s use in educational settings, while the figure drops to 50 percent among educators and 41 percent among administrators. Despite these worries, 78 percent of all respondents viewed AI’s impact positively, yet a striking 95 percent feel AI is being misused to some extent within their institutions.
The survey reveals the widespread use of AI tools among students, with a majority admitting to occasional use for assignments. Nonetheless, 67 percent of students fear that relying on AI might undermine their learning experience, while half admit to not knowing how to maximise the benefits of these technologies. Similarly, nearly half of educators and academic administrators indicated a desire to harness AI for improved decision-making but cited a lack of knowledge as a barrier.
Institutional readiness for AI appears limited. According to the research, only 28 percent of educational institutions have fully incorporated AI into their strategic planning. Further, 37 percent of educators report insufficient institutional resources to support AI utilisation. Concerns about AI’s potential to diminish critical thinking skills were prominent, with 59 percent of students voicing apprehension about overreliance on AI. Risk factors such as plagiarism, misinformation, and insufficient training on AI tools were commonly identified across students, educators, and administrators.
Regional differences were also noted. Positivity towards AI in education ranged from 65 percent in the UK and Ireland to 93 percent in India and 85 percent in Mexico. Nonetheless, concerns including the spread of misinformation and diminished innovation were consistently reported regardless of geography or education level. Moreover, 86 percent of respondents agreed that it is their institution’s responsibility to educate students on the ethical use of AI. Yet only 33 percent of students felt they had any input in shaping AI governance policies at their schools or universities.
Annie Chechitelli, chief product officer at Turnitin, emphasised the importance of clear guidance on AI integration. Speaking to EdTech Innovation Hub, she said, “The risk of intentional misuse will always exist with generative AI. Transparency throughout the student writing process enables educators to leverage the opportunities that AI technologies present, while upholding the integrity of original student work.” She added, “Navigating a clear path forward means equipping educators with solutions to integrate AI in ways that preserve critical thinking skills, and prepare students for the demands of an AI-driven future.”
Turnitin, which supports over 16,000 educational institutions across 185 countries in maintaining academic integrity, highlights that the rapidly evolving AI landscape requires institutions to develop robust policies and training to ensure AI is used responsibly and effectively within education.
Source: Noah Wire Services