Nearly a quarter of students are using AI to do their assignments for them, a new survey asserts. That’s not the only way they’re using the technology.
According to Microsoft’s 2025 AI in Education special report, more than a third of higher ed and K12 students use AI to brainstorm and start assignments, followed by:
- To summarize information (33%)
- To get answers or information quickly (33%)
- To get feedback on their work (32%)
- To learn or study in a tailored fashion (30%)
- To improve their writing skills (28%)
- To make presentations and projects more visually appealing (25%)
- To develop future-ready skills (22%)
- To do assignments for them (22%)
- To enhance creativity (21%)
- To free up time to focus on learning and connection (21%)
- To help them take better care of their well-being (19%)
Notably, the report cites recent research that provides a timeline for how—and why—students use AI. College students in Australia saw a nearly 10% improvement in their exam grades over their peers who weren’t using AI.
Moreover, their AI use peaked the weekend before the final exam. After the test, 72% of users said they would be very disappointed if they couldn’t use it again.
Higher ed and K12 IT leaders and administrators were also asked how they use AI in their roles. Here’s how they responded:
- To provide students with quick feedback on their work and suggestions to improve (36%)
- To improve the efficiency of operational and administrative processes (35%)
- To provide accessibility tools that enable students to participate fully (33%)
- To identify opportunities for student improvement with real-time performance data and predictive analytics (33%)
- To improve their ability to support and communicate with students (30%)
- To improve equitable access to educational knowledge and resources (30%)
- To free up educator time to reinvest in more valuable areas (28%)
- To improve security operations and expertise (27%)
- To teach and develop future-ready skills (27%)
- To improve student life-cycle management (26%)
- To improve coding efficiency or learning (25%)
- To differentiate instruction to address students’ needs (23%)
In light of these findings, the researchers offer three simple recommendations for higher ed and K12 leaders to unlock AI’s potential for student success:
- Ask educators and students what’s working and where there are additional opportunities for AI.
- Experiment with AI to enhance—not to replace—traditional learning methods.
- Invite students to provide input on institutional AI plans.
Read the extensive 43-page report here.
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