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In conversations surrounding AI in schools, the opinions often heard are from the adults—the teachers, parents, and administrators. But what do the kids think? That’s exactly what Project Tomorrow set out to find in their latest Speak Up Research Report, Students Speak Up About AI in Their Learning Lives.

Overall, the research found that students are going to use AI for learning—whether it’s formally sanctioned in school or not—and that they are eager for their teachers to show them how they can use AI properly to advance their learning. During Project Tomorrow’s annual Congressional Briefing edLeader Panel, student panelists shared their concerns and hopes for AI and how they think schools could support the integration of this new technology tool.

First, Dr. Julie Evans, CEO of Project Tomorrow, placed the data about AI in the context of attitudes toward school in general. According to the recent survey, only 46% of students in grades 6-8 and 52% in grades 9-12 say they are interested in what they are learning in school. In addition, 42% of grades 6-8 students and 39% of grades 9-12 students believe that the classroom environment allows them to do their best work. In other words, there is a disconnect between the students and what is being taught as well as how.

This engagement crisis is reflected in the students’ relationship with technology and AI. In grades 6-12, 54% of students are regularly using technology outside of school to learn about things that interest them, and 40% are using AI for self-directed learning. What this shows is that students are not only motivated to learn new things, but they will also use available resources to access that knowledge.

Similarly, while 68% of students are familiar with different generative AI tools, they are more likely to learn about it on their own and not in the classroom. They are experimenting with AI on their own time. Sometimes it’s to help them with school lessons; other times it’s for their own pursuits. But either way, the students aren’t getting much direction from the teachers. Even more important, 61% of students in grades 6-12 are not sure if their school has any policies about AI. According to the student panelists, this leads them to be secretive about their use of AI for fear of getting labelled a cheater.

Students see many benefits to using AI in school, such as exposing them to new ideas, developing stronger technology skills and skills needed for college and careers, and making learning more efficient. Moreover, they see a lot of potential to help them with schoolwork in ways like:

• Brainstorming ideas
• Analyzing notes from class
• Getting feedback on writing
• Accessing tutoring outside of school
• Summarizing texts
• Research
• Managing tasks and due dates
• Translating materials

The main challenge, though, is that because there are no guidelines for school use—and because most teachers won’t use it themselves—the students are both scared to use it at school and are worried they could develop bad habits surrounding AI. For instance, the student panelists expressed concerns about overreliance on AI and not using their own critical-thinking skills.

In addition, while students know that AI can sometimes fabricate information when generating a response, they don’t always know when that’s happening. They are also unclear on what constitutes cheating with AI. Most importantly, they worry that when AI isn’t made freely available and taught in schools, equity will become an issue. Only the students with access to AI at home and other places outside of school will become conversant in it.

However, the student panelists had ideas for how schools could address these challenges. First, they believe school administrators should embrace AI as part of the learning process. Administrators need to educate themselves on—and keep up with—the evolving world of AI. Likewise, teachers need to understand how it works as well and how they can incorporate it into their lessons just as they do with other technology tools. Next, districts need to set AI policies so that teachers and students understand when it can be used as well as when it can’t. Finally, there needs to be ongoing conversations between teachers, families, and students about the role of AI in education.

Students are using AI to communicate with friends, at their places of work and internships, and for their own personal education. They know that AI is something they will need to understand for their future careers, and they are asking that schools include it in the education process now.

Learn more about this edWeb broadcast, Students Speak Up About AI in Their Learning Lives, sponsored by Project Tomorrow.

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Project Tomorrow is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to ensure that today’s students are well-prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and engaged citizens of the world. We support that mission with programs and research that focus on innovation and new learning models in the K-12 classroom, including through the effective use of technology.

Article by Stacey Pusey, based on this edLeader Panel