Surveys: most US students use AI, but school rules lag behind
A survey found that between May and December 2025, US students' use of AI for homework rose from 48% to 62%, and 67% said heavier use harms critical thinking. Only about one-third said their school has a schoolwide policy; another source says 83% of teenagers use AI.
Who is affected and how
- student
- Most use it but suspect it harms their learning, so it is worth consciously regulating their own use.
- teacher
- Teachers cannot count on a uniform school rule, so they need to communicate their own assignment-level rules.
- school leader
- The absence of an institutional AI policy affects most students, so creating one is urgent.
- parent
- It is worth asking their child about the school's AI rules.
- education policymaker
- The gap between use and regulation justifies developing framework rules.
Sources
- Between May and December 2025, the share of American students from middle school through college using AI for homework rose from 48% to 62%. Yet 67% believed heavier AI use harms students’ critical thinking—and only about one-third said their school had established a schoolwide AI policy. - Silicon Canalssiliconcanals.com · Aug 31, 2026
- New York City pauses AI use for elementary, middle school studentsk-12 dive · Sep 2, 2026
- New York City bans AI use in schools through eighth gradeny1.com · Sep 2, 2026
- NYC Bans The Use Of Generative AI Tools In Public Schools For Students Through Eighth Gradeengadget.com · Sep 2, 2026
- NYC schools ban student use of generative AI in classrooms through middle school | StateScoopstatescoop.com · Sep 2, 2026
- AI Expelled From New York City Schools - Techstrong.aitechstrong.ai · Sep 2, 2026
- New York City AI School Ban Explained | Oliver Willisoliverwillis.com · Sep 2, 2026
- New York City bans generative AI for students, limits screen timeworld news group · Sep 2, 2026
Machine-generated summary based on the titles and excerpts of the source articles. The facts come from the linked article.