Global statistics from 2025 highlight how university students utilise generative artificial intelligence for their academic coursework.
According to the Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2026, the primary reason students adopt generative artificial intelligence is to aid in understanding complex concepts or subjects, accounting for 56 per cent.
Researching for assignments and projects closely follows at 52 per cent, while 46 per cent use these tools to generate initial ideas or first drafts.
Additionally, 41 per cent rely on the technology for writing and editing assignments and essays, 38 per cent use it to prepare for presentations, and 36 per cent employ it for exam or quiz preparation.
Lower usage rates include checking homework at 33 per cent and receiving step-by-step homework help at 29 per cent.
Only 1% of surveyed students report using generative artificial intelligence for none of these listed academic purposes.
Overall, students heavily incorporate artificial intelligence across various learning tasks.
