STUDY: Educators More Inclined to Use AI in Academia than Students

New York, NY – (August 21, 2024) – Copyleaks, a pioneering force in AI-based text analysis, AI governance, and plagiarism detection, today unveiled the first part of its 2024 AI in Academia Study offering a comprehensive look at AI’s role in education. Surveying 1,000 students and 250 educators across the United States, the research explores the sentiments, trends, and practical applications of AI.

Surprisingly, the survey reveals higher comfort levels and usage of AI among educators compared to students. While 34% of educators report using AI very frequently to draft or review assignments, only 24% of students do the same, highlighting a significant trend in AI adoption and sentiment within the educational landscape.

“Educators are at the forefront of integrating AI into educational practices, finding it a valuable tool for enhancing learning experiences,” said Alon Yamin, CEO and Co-founder of Copyleaks. “However, our findings suggest that there is an opportunity to foster a positive relationship between students and AI. Open dialogues in the classroom between educators and students about ethical use and AI’s potential role in enhancing learning can empower students to harness its benefits effectively and responsibly.” 

Key findings from the study include:

Frequent AI Usage

• 34% of educators use AI very frequently to draft or review assignments, showing high adoption among educators. Only 24% of students use AI this often, with 22% of students using it very rarely compared to just 12% of educators.  
  
  
• Of note, 29% of male students use AI often, compared to 16% of females.
  
  

Enthusiasm for AI Integration

• 70% of educators are keen on more AI integration in the classroom, indicating strong support for tech-enhanced teaching. Meanwhile, 58% of students share this enthusiasm, reflecting a more modest interest in AI for their studies.
  
  

Optimism for Personalized Learning 

• A strong majority — 87% of educators and 78% of students — believe AI can revolutionize education through personalized learning experiences.
  
  

Comfort and Trust in AI Tools 

• 31% of educators express high comfort with AI-powered educational apps, slightly surpassing the 27% of students. 
• Trust in AI for study recommendations is nearly identical, with 28% of educators and 29% of students expressing strong confidence in these tools.
  
  

Significant Unsanctioned AI Usage

•  Educators and students differ greatly in following school AI ethics policies. Only 27% of educators claim to have misused AI tools, compared to 55% of students.  
• Of note, high school students have the highest rate of using AI tools in an sanctioned manner (63%), with males outpacing females 64% vs 51%. 
  
  

Differing Sentiments on Understanding AI

•  A strong 68% of educators view understanding how AI works as very important, whereas only 41% of students share this perspective, highlighting a notable difference in sentiment toward AI literacy.
  
  

Awareness and Recognition of AI Detection

• Both groups are highly aware of AI detection software, with 87% of students and educators acknowledging these tools for managing cheating and plagiarism.
• Undergraduate educators had the highest rate of awareness (96%), while middle school educators had the lowest rate (75%).
  
  
  

“Today’s educators are excited about AI’s potential to personalize learning and manage workloads, with a strong desire to integrate it more deeply into classrooms,” Yamin continued. “However, this shift comes with challenges. The gap between awareness and ethical use, especially among students, highlights the need for clear guidelines and training to ensure AI enhances education responsibly. These findings emphasize the need for targeted educational initiatives that empower educators and students to use AI effectively. Addressing concerns from both sides while promoting fair use will be crucial to improving the educational experience for everyone.”


For more information and to download the full survey report, please click here.

About the Study

The Copyleaks 2024 AI in Academia Study examines the integration of AI in educational settings, focusing on how both educators and students interact with and perceive AI technologies. Surveying 1,000 graduate, undergraduate, high school and middle school students and 250 educators (e.g., teachers, lecturers, professors) across the United States, the study provides insights into AI usage patterns, comfort levels, and varying degrees of enthusiasm for AI in the classroom. By highlighting these differences, the study aims to identify areas where educational strategies and support can be enhanced to better align with the evolving technological landscape.