AI Integration in UK Higher Education Surges: 92% of Undergrads Embrace Generative Tools for Learning and Exams

It appears that nearly all undergraduate students are now utilizing AI in various capacities. A recent report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) in the UK indicated that 92 percent of students have engaged with generative AI tools, like ChatGPT as part of their academic experience. Concurrently, 88 percent of these students reported utilizing AI for exam preparation. These figures represent a significant jump from HEPI’s report from February 2024, which showed that 66 percent and 53 percent of participants had used these tools, respectively.

Students highlighted several primary motivations for their AI usage, including time savings, enhanced work quality, and immediate assistance. Those with greater financial resources, male respondents, and individuals in STEM fields demonstrated a more positive attitude towards AI in the survey. Arguments against AI utilization primarily revolved around concerns of academic dishonesty, receiving inaccurate results, or encountering hallucinations leading to biased outcomes. Concerns were more prevalent among female and younger students. HEPI conducted their survey with 1,041 students from the UK and abroad in December 2024.

On the other hand, universities generally received favorable ratings from students regarding the transparency of their AI policies. Approximately four-fifths of participants indicated their institution had a well-defined AI policy, and notably, 76 percent believed their university could detect AI usage in assessed assignments (despite the 88 percent who admitted to using it). Furthermore, staff appeared more equipped to handle AI-related inquiries, with 42 percent of students claiming that faculty members were «well-prepared,» an increase from just 18 percent a year earlier.