AI use among students surges as chatbots reshape schoolwork
Survey finds more students using AI chatbots for schoolwork, with reliance rising sharply year over year.
More than half of US teenagers use AI tools to help with schoolwork, according to a new Pew Research Center study. The survey found that 54% of students aged 13 to 17 have used chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Microsoft’s Copilot to research assignments or solve maths problems.
Usage has risen in recent years. In 2024, 26% of US teens reported using ChatGPT for schoolwork, up from 13% in 2023. The latest survey of 1,458 teens and parents found 44% use AI for some schoolwork, while 10% rely on chatbots for most tasks.
Researchers say AI assistance is becoming routine in classrooms. Colleen McClain, a senior researcher at Pew and co-author of the report, said chatbot use for schoolwork is now a common practice among teens.
Findings come amid an intensifying debate over generative AI in education. Supporters argue that schools should teach students to use and evaluate AI tools, while critics warn of misinformation, reduced critical thinking, and increased cheating.
Recent research has raised questions about learning outcomes. One study by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and Microsoft Research found that students who took notes without chatbot support showed stronger reading comprehension than those using AI assistance.
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