Students More Concerned Than Educators About AI in Education – Why That’s a Wake-Up Call for the Sector
A recent global study by Turnitin has revealed a surprising and rather concerning insight: students are more worried than educators about the impact of AI on learning. According to the research, 64% of students expressed concern about AI’s influence on education, compared to just 50% of educators and 41% of administrators.
At a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping every aspect of the education landscape—from personalised learning tools to automated assessment—this data should act as a wake-up call for everyone in the sector.
Why Are Students More Concerned?
The survey, which gathered responses from 3,500 students, educators, and administrators across several countries, found that while 78% of respondents viewed AI’s impact positively, an overwhelming 95% believed it was being misused in some way at their institution. Many students reported that they occasionally use AI tools to support assignments, but 67% felt it could shortcut their learning, and 59% worried about the erosion of critical thinking skills.
Even more revealing was that half of the students didn’t feel confident about how to use AI tools effectively to benefit their learning. This disconnect between the promise of AI and its real-world application has led to growing anxiety among learners—an anxiety that appears to be underestimated by those responsible for guiding them.
Educators Need to Catch Up—Fast
Only 28% of institutions have integrated AI into their strategy. Even more striking is that 47% of educators and administrators said they would like to use AI to support decision-making but don’t yet know how to do so. This knowledge gap is problematic—not just for the teaching workforce, but for the young people they serve.
If students feel they are navigating the implications of AI alone, something is broken. We must support teachers and school leaders in understanding how AI works, what it can do, and—perhaps most importantly—what it shouldn’t do. The lack of awareness around AI’s risks (plagiarism, misinformation, and over-reliance on automation) leaves room for misuse and mistrust. It also risks leaving educators behind at a time when they should be leading from the front.
What Can Education Suppliers and EdTech Companies Do?
This is where those of us in the education supply sector need to step up. As suppliers and EdTech providers, we can’t afford to treat AI as just another product feature or buzzword. We must take responsibility for helping educators understand AI’s potential—and its pitfalls.
That means:
Building in robust training and support for every AI-enabled tool we offer.
Creating transparent and ethical design that empowers rather than confuses educators.
Actively engaging schools in conversations about how AI is implemented and governed.
Sharing clear case studies and resources that show not just what AI can do, but how it fits into classroom practice in meaningful, evidence-informed ways.
As the report rightly points out, 86% of respondents believe institutions have a duty to educate students about the ethical use of AI. But for that to happen, educators themselves must feel confident and capable of doing so.
Final Thought
The fact that students are more concerned than educators about AI should not be dismissed. It’s a signal that our learners are acutely aware of the risks and uncertainties—perhaps more than we realise. As education suppliers, it’s our job to bridge the knowledge gap and support schools in building AI strategies that are inclusive, transparent, and genuinely learner-centred.
Let’s ensure our tools are not just clever, but clearly understood and well supported—because the future of education won’t be built on algorithms alone, but on the confidence and competence of those who use them.