Student AI Survey 2026
We asked 57 students how they use AI, what worries them, and what they want to learn. Here’s what we found.
Methodology
A short, honest snapshot - not a national study. Every figure below is shown as a count and a rounded whole percentage. Multi-select questions are flagged; their percentages are a share of respondents, so they don’t sum to 100. A few small slices are read approximately from the form and marked ~approx.
Four numbers that shaped everything we built
98% have used an AI tool like ChatGPT or Gemini.
81% think students should learn about AI in school.
believe AI will be important or very important for future careers.
chose Careers & Future Jobs as their most-wanted topic.
AI is already part of daily school life
Copilot and Snapchat AI are small slices read approximately from the form.
Creative projects and entertainment are small slices read approximately from the form.
Confident users - and they want to be taught
Levels 1 and 2 are small slices read approximately from the form.
Real worries, and a clear appetite to learn
Students could choose more than one, so percentages don’t sum to 100.
Students could choose more than one, so percentages don’t sum to 100.
Five things the data told us
Each one shaped a decision in the AI Smart workshop.
Practical over theoretical
Students want practical AI skills they can use - not abstract theory. Study skills and careers topped the list of what they asked to learn.
They already worry about misinformation
Fake information was the second-biggest concern (16 of 57, 28%). Students know AI can get things wrong - they want help spotting it.
Careers are top of mind
Careers & Future Jobs was the most-requested topic (22 of 57, 39%), and 79% think AI will matter for their future work.
They value responsible use
In their own words, students raised using AI “responsibly” and not letting it “take over thinking.” Ethics matters to them.
They want balance
Students want an honest look at both the opportunities and the risks - not hype, and not fear. That balance runs through the workshop.
We built a workshop around these findings.
See AI SmartIn their own words
Verbatim responses to “In one sentence, what should students know about AI?”
Students should know how to use it responsibly.
It sometimes uses fake information.
How to use it efficiently and not let AI take over thinking and development.
The opportunities it opens up to students.
That it is not just a tool - it has its own mind.
Research Report #1
The complete write-up - methodology, every chart, and what each finding means for teaching. The PDF will be attached here on publication.
PDF placeholder - Maya to attach the final report before launch.