AI is in nearly every classroom

Evidence doesn’t yet show whether it’s helping students learn. Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday academic life for America’s students. By mid-2025, up to 84% of high school students were using AI for schoolwork, including writing essays, summarizing readings, and completing assignments. Despite widespread usage, students themselves are growing wary of what this means. A 2026 Gallup–Walton Family Foundation survey found Gen Z’s excitement about AI has dropped 14% since 2025, and nearly half of working Gen Zers now believe AI’s risks in the workforce outweigh its benefits.