
Educators Embrace Generative AI But Student Adoption Lags Behind
The conversation around AI in post-secondary education often leans negative, dominated by fears of cheating and concerns over its impact on skill development. But the narrative is changing.
Our survey reveals that educators are embracing student use of generative AI. The majority of educators surveyed support its application for supplementary tasks like translation and grammar assistance, highlighting a growing recognition of AI as a tool to enhance learning rather than undermine it.
However, this openness has yet to translate into widespread adoption among students. For instance, while 73% of educators approve of using AI for data analysis, only 31% of students report using it for this purpose. This disconnect may stem from students’ lack of awareness about how AI can enhance specific academic activities or uncertainty about whether its use is explicitly allowed.
To maximize the benefits of these tools for teaching and learning, educators need proper guidance and resources from their post-secondary institutions. By clearly defining when, how, and if AI should be used, they can eliminate confusion and empower students to leverage these tools responsibly. Clear guidelines will help both educators and students make the most of this new technology.
Student use and educator approval of AI by task

Note: We asked educators: “How often do you think students should use generative AI tools for the following purposes?” We asked students: “Over the past year, how often have you used generative AI tools for the following purposes?” Responses were regrouped as follows: “Never” and “Rarely” = did not use/approve; “Sometimes,” “Most of the time,” and “All the time” = used/approved. Data collected in December 2023 and January 2024; n=402 (educators); n=2,401 (students)
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Check out our latest research to learn more about generative AI in higher education:
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