85% of US college students say they use generative AI, 25% use it to cheat

The 2025–26 Student Voice survey, an annual poll of student attitudes by Inside Higher Ed, was devoted to artificial intelligence in its latest edition — and discovered some fascinating results.

Overall usage of generative ai has reached a critical point, with almost every student using it for coursework. But what they use it for is equally interesting.

Brainstorming tutor
55% say they simply use generative AI for brainstorming ideas, while 50% say it functions as a tutor, and 46% report that they use it to make quizzes and preparing for exams.

So the survey tells us there are plenty of legitimate use cases for generative AI rather than just cheating your way through college, and most usage is above water.

As for cheating, the survey finds 25% use AI to complete assignments, whereas 19% apply it to write full essays. Those are significant numbers, but only about half of those who say they use it for more «sanitized» purposes.

Thinking less deeply?
Of AI using students, more than half say it has mixed effects on their learning. They say it «sometimes helps, but can make them think less deeply.» Only 27% say it’s been positive, but that’s a larger number than those who use it to cheat. Merely 7% of the surveyed students report negative effects, saying they have come to rely on it too much.

Even if most students use the technology, it hasn’t changed their views on the actual value of college itself — according to a full 35%. Significant minorities think differently, though, as 22% say it has changed, but don’t know why, while 23% see college as more relevant than before.

Only 21% of students think universities should limit technology in class or use AI-detection software to spot cheaters.

Professional AI training
Instead, they call for more education on ethical AI use, want clearer standardized policies on it, and also want to be able to transparently use the tools — and not get punished for it.

A large percentage of 46% also want colleges to offer professional and ethical training on AI, in so far as to prepare them for the future workplace, where AI is already making rapid changes. They don’t want this left to individual professors and ask for a college-wide policy on the issue, they say.

Using AI right might well be a critical toolset for the future, and while companies like Salesforce and Amazon directly cite AI in their layoffs, other companies are looking for AI-skilled professionals.

Read more: The full survey, discussion on Slashdot.