As generative AI tools become an increasingly integral part of students’ academic lives, we’ve seen how their attitudes and behaviors have evolved over time. Pearson has surveyed US college students for four semesters, and our research has revealed five key trends in student perception and use of generative AI tools:
1. AI has become an academic staple for students
AI adoption has accelerated dramatically. Of those who’ve reported using AI for academic purposes, the majority of students now use generative AI tools at least once a week for schoolwork (81%), with a growing number using them daily. As AI becomes more prevalent, it’s increasingly seen by students as a valuable tool to make learning more efficient and effective.
2. Students are developing strategic usage patterns
What began as curiosity-driven exploration has matured into purposeful, routine usage. As students use AI tools more, consistent patterns of usage have emerged. Today, students report using AI tools routinely for specific, intentional academic tasks.
3. Students feel faculty attitudes toward AI are warming
Students increasingly believe that their professors have adopted a positive attitude toward AI. Alongside this, students are becoming less concerned about potentially being accused of cheating or plagiarising for using AI tools.
4. Students trust AI tools from learning companies
Over four semesters, student trust in AI tools built specifically by learning companies has outperformed trust in generative AI tools overall. That said, students are conscious of AI’s potential pitfalls: Misinformation remains the top concern among students when using generative AI for school.
5. Students prefer AI-enhanced learning tools
More than half of students (53%) now prefer learning tools that incorporate AI—a significant increase since Fall 2024. This preference is backed by growing confidence in AI's benefits: Nearly two-thirds of students believe AI has made studying more efficient and helped them achieve better grades.
By understanding how students feel about and use AI tools, we can better leverage learning science and AI’s strengths to thoughtfully develop and enhance our educational experiences. Students trust us to deliver quality AI-powered learning experiences that reliably meet their evolving needs and expectations, serving as genuine learning accelerators rather than shortcuts.
Pearson’s application of generative AI is backed by learning science and vetted by subject matter experts. With over 80% of products now digital or digitally enabled, we are committed to the responsible application of AI to enhance teaching and learning experiences for educators, students, and employers.
Read more about our research findings in our latest Higher Ed Student AI Survey report.