Students Using AI in 2025: The Good, the Bad, and What’s Missing

AI is everywhere now – not just in science labs or tech companies, but in students’ backpacks and browsers. In 2025, it’s become a normal part of student life. Whether it's writing essays, brainstorming ideas, or just trying to stay organized, students are turning to AI tools to get through schoolwork faster and with less stress. Most of them say it really helps make studying easier.

But with all this new tech, things aren’t so simple. As more students lean on AI, it’s changing the way we think about learning. Some schools are doing their best to keep up, updating their rules and helping students use AI wisely. But many aren’t. And that’s left a lot of students to figure things out on their own – sometimes feeling lost, confused, or unsure if they’re doing the right thing.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how students are using AI today, which tools they actually like, and how all of this is affecting their education – the good stuff, the tough stuff, and the parts still missing. The insights come from a major global survey released in 2025 by the University of Melbourne and KPMG.

Students Using AI in 2025: The Good, the Bad, and What’s Missing

What You Need to Know:

Around 83% of students say they use AI tools regularly. More than half say they use them every week, or even every day. It’s become part of their routine, like checking their phone or making coffee before class.

Most students use general tools like ChatGPT, not the AI platforms their schools offer. These apps are easy to use, available 24/7, and feel like a helping hand when deadlines are piling up.

Many students say AI helps them stay focused, manage their time better, and feel more confident in their work. It’s not just about speed – it’s about feeling less overwhelmed.

The problem? Only about half of schools offer any real advice or support on how to use AI in the classroom. So students are left to figure it out alone. Some feel excited by the freedom – others feel like they’re walking in the dark.

AI has so much potential to help students – but only if we guide it in the right way. That means schools need to catch up. Clear rules, proper training, and real support can help students use AI not just to get by, but to truly grow and learn.

Because at the end of the day, students don’t just need smarter tools. They need people who understand what it feels like to be trying, learning, and sometimes struggling – and who are there to help them through it.

How Often Are Students Using AI Tools?

These days, AI tools have become a regular part of many students’ learning routines — almost like a silent study partner sitting beside them.

A recent study by the University of Melbourne and KPMG found that a huge 83% of students are using AI on a regular basis. In fact, more than half of them (51%) said they rely on it at least once a week — some even use it daily. For many, it’s become just another tool they turn to when juggling deadlines, researching for essays, or trying to make sense of tough topics. This trend is especially noticeable in universities and training programs where the pressure to keep up is intense.

But not everyone’s on board.

Around 8% of students said they don’t use AI at all. Their reasons are honest and personal. Some simply prefer doing things the traditional way — they want the satisfaction of figuring things out on their own. Others say AI hasn’t really helped them, or they worry it might actually get in the way of truly understanding the material.

While they’re the minority, their voices matter. They remind us that learning isn’t one-size-fits-all — and that sometimes, choosing not to use the latest tech is just as thoughtful as embracing it.

What Kinds of AI Tools Are Students Using These Days?

Students today are turning to all sorts of AI tools to help them get through school—depending on what they're working on and what kind of support they need.

The most popular ones by far are general-purpose AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot. In fact, about 9 out of 10 students say they use them regularly. That’s a huge number, and it really shows just how much these tools have become part of everyday learning.

Most students seem to stick with what's easy and free to access—stuff you can find online in just a few clicks. Only a small group (about 13%) use AI tools provided by their schools.

This says a lot about how students choose their tools. They go for what’s convenient, flexible, and doesn’t involve jumping through hoops. It’s clear they want something that fits into their lives without adding extra stress—and who can blame them?

How AI Is Making a Real Difference in Education

A lot of students are saying the same thing these days: AI is making school feel less overwhelming and more doable.

One of the biggest things students love about using AI is how it helps them get through tasks more quickly. In fact, about 69% say they can work more efficiently now—which means less time stuck on assignments and more time to focus on what matters.

It’s not just about speed, though. Many students are also feeling a bit of relief. Around half of them say their stress levels have dropped (53%) and their overall workload feels lighter (55%). That’s a big deal in a world where school can feel like a constant uphill climb.

Here are some other ways AI is helping in the classroom:

Better quality work, according to 56% of students

Easier time coming up with ideas, especially for writing and planning (56%)

Quicker access to reliable info, without spending hours searching (59%)

Learning that feels more personal, like it’s made just for them (51%)

Improved skills, with 50% saying they’re growing and learning in new ways

What’s really interesting is how confident students feel using these tools. Even if they haven’t had any official training, many are figuring it out on their own—just by playing around and seeing what works. That kind of hands-on learning is powerful.

And no, it’s not about cutting corners or letting AI do all the work. For most students, it’s about using AI as a helpful sidekick—something that saves time, reduces stress, and keeps them moving forward, one step at a time.

The Downsides of AI in Education

AI tools can definitely make schoolwork easier—but they’re not perfect. One of the biggest problems? A lot of students are starting to depend on them too much.

In fact, about 77% of students said they struggle to finish assignments without using AI. That kind of heavy reliance can slowly eat away at their ability to learn and think on their own. It’s like using training wheels for too long—you forget how to balance without them.

There are other ways students feel things have gone a bit downhill since AI became more common in classrooms:

36% said they don’t think as critically as they used to

34% feel the trust between students and teachers has faded

32% said it’s harder to have real conversations with classmates or teachers

27% think grading feels less fair now

24% feel they’re not building their skills like before

22% said they’re coming up with fewer creative ideas

20% feel the overall quality of their work has dropped

And there’s something else: about half of students feel pressured to use AI tools just to keep up. That pressure can be overwhelming. Instead of learning deeply, many are turning to shortcuts just to stay afloat. It's like cramming for a test—you might pass, but did you really understand?

All of this is a reminder that while AI has its perks, it also comes with real trade-offs. These tools can be super helpful—but only if students learn how to use them in a smart, balanced way. It’s not about replacing thinking. It’s about supporting it.

How Schools & Universities Are Responding

There’s a growing disconnect between how often students are turning to AI and how little support they’re getting from their schools.

Right now, only about 31% of students say their school or university actually has a clear policy about how to use AI tools in class. Around 27% say there's no guidance at all, 18% say AI is banned completely, and nearly a quarter (24%) just aren’t sure what the rules even are. It’s confusing—and that confusion can easily lead to students using AI the wrong way without even meaning to.

AI is showing up more and more in classrooms, but schools are struggling to keep up. What students really need is still missing in some important ways, like:

Learning how to use AI responsibly

Knowing what's right or wrong when it comes to AI and ethics

Getting help or tools to use AI creatively or for schoolwork

Some schools are stepping up, but the effort is still uneven. According to a recent survey:

58% of students said their school helps them understand how AI works

51% feel encouraged to use AI as part of their learning

50% have access to some kind of training or help

49% feel supported when trying new ways of learning with AI

46% said their school has any sort of policy for using AI responsibly

So, what does this all mean? Basically, many students are figuring things out on their own—and that can be stressful. They're excited about the possibilities AI brings, but also unsure if they're using it the right way.

The Bottom Line

AI is becoming a normal part of many students’ lives. It helps them stay focused, work faster, and feel more confident in their learning. But even though they’re using these tools every day, the support from schools still feels... lacking.

This isn’t just about technology—it’s about students feeling lost, unsure, or even anxious about doing something wrong.

To truly help students grow, schools need to do more. They need to give clear guidance, set thoughtful rules, and offer real support. Because when students feel confident and informed, that’s when AI can really help them shine.