A majority of high school and college students in the U.S. are using artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT to complete school work, according to a body of research collected by the College Board.
The group, which developed the SAT and Advanced Placement program, surveyed thousands of college faculty members and high school students, parents and staff members in 2024 and 2025. They’ve put out three research briefs about the use of generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT in high school and college.
The research emphasizes that AI is being used frequently at schools and universities — but clear guidelines governing its use are less common, as leaders in those buildings struggle with its risks and values. Many educators — and students — are worried about AI’s impact on critical thinking, original writing and academic integrity.
“The data suggest that AI use is outpacing guidance,” Jessica Howell, vice president of research at the organization, said.
Among some of the most interesting findings:
- Most students are using GenAI: Research shows 74% of college faculty reported that their students use it for writing essays or papers; 84% of high school students reported using it for schoolwork.
- College faculty are using it, too: But only 38% said they use it to create or revise teaching materials.
- It’s especially a problem for English teachers and humanities professors: Only 37% of English teachers believe it helps students learn, while college faculty in the humanities are more likely to report problems with it.
- Different groups have mixed feelings about AI: A reported 45% of college faculty feel negatively and 38% feel positively. High school students are split on whether the benefits outweigh the risks. The vast majority of high school administrators agree that it’s valuable for students to learn to use AI tools.
- Educators need more guidance: Only 1 in 5 college faculty members feel very confident about guiding AI use in their classroom. And 100% of high school principals have concerns about academic integrity, and 9 in 10 worry about teacher preparedness.
“Given the relative newness of GenAI in educational settings, it isn’t particularly surprising that the adults — parents, teachers and faculty — express concerns about high school and college students becoming overly reliant on the new technology,” Howell said. “What’s a bit more surprising is that two-thirds of students also express these concerns. It’s somewhat rare for teens and adults to agree!”
In Georgia, colleges and schools are still figuring out how and when to use artificial intelligence. Gwinnett County is home to Seckinger High School, the nation’s first AI-themed high school. The Cobb County Board of Education just greenlit the opening of a new AI-focused charter school. And the DeKalb County School District is in the process of updating its policies to set guidelines about the use of AI.
At the college level, Georgia students report feeling anxious that the rise of AI will make it more difficult for them to find jobs. Some colleges in the state are adapting their programming to better meet the current needs of the job market. Georgia State University was an early adopter of classroom chatbots, and professors at Emory University and Morehouse College are using AI-powered robots and virtual classroom assistants that look like them to help out.
But even as some college professors foray into AI use, very few feel confident about guiding its use in the classroom, according to the College Board’s most recent survey.
That’s why prioritizing supports for educators — particularly in writing-intensive humanities subjects — is “critical,” Howell said.
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