Most Students Embrace AI for Academics, Worry About Long-Term Impact
Most Students Embrace AI for Academics, Worry About Long-Term Impact
College students are AI power users, and AI companies know it. A majority of students use AI at least once a week, and they’re likely to bring their preferred tools into the workforce after they graduate. However, concerns remain about AI’s long-term outlook, especially its impact on future job opportunities
College students are AI power users, and AI companies know it. A majority of students use AI at least once a week, and they’re likely to bring their preferred tools into the workforce after they graduate. However, concerns remain about AI’s long-term outlook, especially its impact on future job opportunities
Background: College Students Are Key Players In the Race for AI Adoption
Background: College Students Are Key Players In the Race for AI Adoption
College campuses have become a key battlefield in the race for AI adoption. All of the major AI companies now offer students free access to advanced models, recognizing that students aren’t just power users while in school. They tend to stick with the first tool they tried and bring their preferred tools with them into the workforce. Despite students’ enthusiasm for AI as a productivity and study partner, many remain concerned about its impact on future job opportunities.
College campuses have become a key battlefield in the race for AI adoption. All of the major AI companies now offer students free access to advanced models, recognizing that students aren’t just power users while in school. They tend to stick with the first tool they tried and bring their preferred tools with them into the workforce. Despite students’ enthusiasm for AI as a productivity and study partner, many remain concerned about its impact on future job opportunities.
91% of students say they have used an AI tool at some point.
91% of students say they have used an AI tool at some point.
Methodology: A Comparative Study of AI Usage Habits
Methodology: A Comparative Study of AI Usage Habits
To assess students’ evolving AI usage habits and platform loyalty, College Inc. surveyed 1,575 students across 115 universities in May 2025. Results were compared to a similar study conducted in October 2024 to track market growth and behavioral shifts over time.
To assess students’ evolving AI usage habits and platform loyalty, College Inc. surveyed 1,575 students across 115 universities in May 2025. Results were compared to a similar study conducted in October 2024 to track market growth and behavioral shifts over time.
66% of students use AI tools at least once per week.
66% of students use AI tools at least once per week.
INSIGHT: Students Are AI Power Users
INSIGHT: Students Are AI Power Users
91% of college students have used AI tools, and 66% use them at least once per week. More students are also using AI more frequently and for a growing variety of use cases like research, coding, time management, and essay support. In May 2025, 39% of students said they use an AI tool weekly, and 28% said they use an AI tool daily or multiple times per day—a 17% increase since October 2024.
91% of college students have used AI tools, and 66% use them at least once per week. More students are also using AI more frequently and for a growing variety of use cases like research, coding, time management, and essay support. In May 2025, 39% of students said they use an AI tool weekly, and 28% said they use an AI tool daily or multiple times per day—a 17% increase since October 2024.
Which of the following best describes how often you use AI tools?
Percent of students who have used an AI tool by major
Students' AI use cases
October 2024
May 2025
Which of the following best describes how often you use AI tools?
Percent of students who have used an AI tool by major
Students' AI use cases
October 2024
May 2025
Which of the following best describes how often you use AI tools?
Percent of students who have used an AI tool by major
Students' AI use cases
October 2024
May 2025
Which of the following best describes how often you use AI tools?
Percent of students who have used an AI tool by major
Students' AI use cases
October 2024
May 2025
Which of the following best describes how often you use AI tools?
Have you ever used an AI tool?
Students' AI use cases
October 2024
May 2025
Which of the following best describes how often you use AI tools?
Have you ever used an AI tool?
Students' AI use cases
October 2024
May 2025
Which of the following best describes how often you use AI tools?
Have you ever used an AI tool?
Students' AI use cases
October 2024
May 2025
Which of the following best describes how often you use AI tools?
Have you ever used an AI tool?
Students' AI use cases
October 2024
May 2025
INSIGHT: Privacy, Accuracy, Future Job Opportunities Top Student Concerns
INSIGHT: Privacy, Accuracy, Future Job Opportunities Top Student Concerns
Students cite accuracy, bias, and data privacy as their biggest AI concerns. 83% of students rate accuracy and bias as very or extremely important concerns when using AI tools, followed by 69% for privacy and data security, and 66% for academic integrity compliance.
Students cite accuracy, bias, and data privacy as their biggest AI concerns. 83% of students rate accuracy and bias as very or extremely important concerns when using AI tools, followed by 69% for privacy and data security, and 66% for academic integrity compliance.
While students embrace AI tools in an academic context, they are divided about what AI means for their futures. 54% have concerns about the rise of AI and its impact on their education and future job opportunities, while 46% are excited about AI and actively looking for ways to use it in their daily lives.
While students embrace AI tools in an academic context, they are divided about what AI means for their futures. 54% have concerns about the rise of AI and its impact on their education and future job opportunities, while 46% are excited about AI and actively looking for ways to use it in their daily lives.
Which of the following statements most resonates with you?
Which of the following statements most resonates with you?
I'm nervous about the rise of AI and what it means for my education and future job opportunities
I'm nervous about the rise of AI and what it means for my education and future job opportunities
I am excited about AI and love to find new ways to incorporate it in my daily life
53.71%
46.29%
I am excited about AI and love to find new ways to incorporate it in my daily life
54% of students are concerned about AI's impact on their education and future job opportunities.
54% of students are concerned about AI's impact on their education and future job opportunities.
INSIGHT: ChatGPT Dominates the College AI Market, but Students Are Open to Trying New Tools
INSIGHT: ChatGPT Dominates the College AI Market, but Students Are Open to Trying New Tools
9 out of 10 college students say they’ve used ChatGPT, and 66% say it’s their go-to AI tool. ChatGPT is especially sticky with first-time AI users. 100% of students who started with ChatGPT still use it as their primary AI tool. This stickiness is weaker but still evident for other AI tools like Gemini and Perplexity, indicating a strong first-mover advantage in the college AI market.
Despite ChatGPT’s dominance, students are open-minded. Gemini, Meta AI, and Microsoft are all gaining in popularity, and 71% of students say they’d try a different AI tool if it offered a discounted or free premium plan for college students.
9 out of 10 college students say they’ve used ChatGPT, and 66% say it’s their go-to AI tool. ChatGPT is especially sticky with first-time AI users. 100% of students who started with ChatGPT still use it as their primary AI tool. This stickiness is weaker but still evident for other AI tools like Gemini and Perplexity, indicating a strong first-mover advantage in the college AI market.
Despite ChatGPT’s dominance, students are open-minded. Gemini, Meta AI, and Microsoft are all gaining in popularity, and 71% of students say they’d try a different AI tool if it offered a discounted or free premium plan for college students.
Which of the following AI tools have you used? Select all.
Which of the following AI tools is your go-to?
Would you be willing to try a different AI tool if it offered a free or reduced premium plan for college students?
Yes
No
Which of the following AI tools have you used? Select all.
Which of the following AI tools is your go-to?
Would you be willing to try a different AI tool if it offered a free or reduced premium plan for college students?
Yes
No
Which of the following AI tools have you used? Select all.
Which of the following AI tools is your go-to?
Would you be willing to try a different AI tool if it offered a free or reduced premium plan for college students?
Yes
No
Which of the following AI tools have you used? Select all.
Which of the following AI tools is your go-to?
Would you be willing to try a different AI tool if it offered a free or reduced premium plan for college students?
Yes
No
Which of the following AI tools have you used? Select all.
Which of the following AI tools is your go-to?
Would you be willing to try a different AI tool if it offered a free or reduced premium plan for college students?
Yes
No
Which of the following AI tools have you used? Select all.
Which of the following AI tools is your go-to?
Would you be willing to try a different AI tool if it offered a free or reduced premium plan for college students?
Yes
No
Which of the following AI tools have you used? Select all.
Which of the following AI tools is your go-to?
Would you be willing to try a different AI tool if it offered a free or reduced premium plan for college students?
Yes
No
Which of the following AI tools have you used? Select all.
Which of the following AI tools is your go-to?
Would you be willing to try a different AI tool if it offered a free or reduced premium plan for college students?
Yes
No
The college AI market is nascent and dynamic. Student usage is increasing in both pure numbers and in the variety of use cases, a trend that’s expected to continue. ChatGPT is an early leader, but the use of alternatives is on the rise, indicating that students remain open to trying new tools and will readily switch to those that offer more value.
The college AI market is nascent and dynamic. Student usage is increasing in both pure numbers and in the variety of use cases, a trend that’s expected to continue. ChatGPT is an early leader, but the use of alternatives is on the rise, indicating that students remain open to trying new tools and will readily switch to those that offer more value.
71% of students would try a different AI tool if it offered a discounted or free premium plan for college students.
71% of students would try a different AI tool if it offered a discounted or free premium plan for college students.
College Inc. — Your Partner in Winning Gen Z
College Inc. — Your Partner in Winning Gen Z
Our research and insights tools help brands decode the rapidly changing college audience and make data-informed decisions about their brand. As the first (and only) omnichannel college marketing platform for reaching students at scale, we pair deep behavioral insights with smart ad delivery to make sure your message doesn’t just show up—it sticks. Learn more about our insights into the college audience.
Our research and insights tools help brands decode the rapidly changing college audience and make data-informed decisions about their brand. As the first (and only) omnichannel college marketing platform for reaching students at scale, we pair deep behavioral insights with smart ad delivery to make sure your message doesn’t just show up—it sticks. Learn more about our insights into the college audience.
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