Oxford leads UK cities in student searches for academic AI tools as Cambridge lags behind
New data from Delve AI shows wide variation in regional demand for academic AI support tools
A new analysis by Delve AI has found that students in Oxford are more likely than those in any other UK city to search for AI-based academic tools.
The findings are based on search data from Google Keyword Planner and reflect monthly search activity for terms such as "AI essay writer" and "Turnitin AI checker."
Delve AI is a data analytics company focused on mapping and interpreting consumer behavior using search trends and audience data.
Regional search trends
Oxford recorded an average of 582.33 AI-related academic searches per 100,000 people each month, 117 percent above the national average. Coventry followed with 525.97 searches, while Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester also featured in the top five.
Searches tended to focus on AI-generated content and plagiarism tools. High-volume terms included “undetectable AI” and “AI humanizer,” suggesting concerns around detection as well as usage.
The rest of the top ten includes Reading, Bolton, Salford, West Bromwich, and Brighton. In contrast, London ranked 14th, despite its size and number of higher education institutions.
Cambridge’s ranking stood out. Despite its academic reputation, it ranked 77th out of 78 locations, with just 117.30 searches per 100,000 population, 80 percent lower than Oxford.
Top and bottom cities by search activity
Below is a breakdown of the highest and lowest ranking areas based on monthly searches per 100,000 population:
Top 10 UK locations for academic AI searches
Oxford – 582.33
Coventry – 525.97
Birmingham – 448.85
Leeds – 405.42
Manchester – 398.14
Reading – 391.35
Bolton – 381.59
Salford – 380.36
West Bromwich – 357.22
Brighton – 352.08
Bottom 5 UK locations for academic AI searches
74. Derby – 160.25
75. Gateshead – 159.76
76. Chesterfield – 158.49
77. Cambridge – 117.30
78. Rotherham – 104.73
Caution around AI use in education
Sujit Thomas Zachariah, CEO of Delve AI, said the results reveal significant variation in how students engage with academic AI tools.
“These results show considerable regional variations in how students approach AI tools. The data suggests that Oxford students might be more engaged with AI academic resources than students in many other areas.”
Zachariah also pointed to the unexpected gap between Oxford and Cambridge.
“The difference between Oxford and Cambridge stands out in particular. Cambridge students perform about 80% fewer AI-related searches than their Oxford counterparts, which might reflect different institutional approaches or awareness levels.”
He added that the high number of searches related to plagiarism detection could indicate uncertainty among students about acceptable AI use.
“Universities and schools need to develop clear policies around AI use that balance innovation with academic integrity. Students can gain real benefits from AI when used as a learning aid rather than a replacement for original work. They might use these tools for research, drafting, or problem-solving, but they should recognize the importance of disclosing AI use and building genuine understanding rather than simply generating answers.
“The high search volumes for plagiarism checkers alongside AI tools suggest that many students are concerned about detection. This indicates a need for better education about ethical AI use rather than trying to outsmart detection systems.”
