UK Students Call for Faster AI Integration in Universities: YouGov-Studiosity Survey Reveals

A YouGov survey for Studiosity, an online study support provider, found that 64% of UK students believe their universities are slow in adopting AI support tools for study. The survey included 2,422 UK students and showed a disparity in expectations for AI support between international (57%) and domestic students (37%) in the UK.

The research, which involved students from 149 UK higher education institutions, is part of a global study that included responses from 10,189 students across several countries, conducted in late 2023. 

Key findings indicate a general perception among students that universities worldwide are not integrating AI tools swiftly enough, with notable demand for faster feedback and academic support through AI.

Isabelle Bristow, Studiosity’s Managing Director for the UK and Europe, commented on the findings: 

“The expansion of the capabilities of Generative AI was a big theme in 2023 and that year of fact-finding and planning should now turn into a year of action in higher education. As complex institutions, universities acknowledge that speed of adoption can be an issue, which is also exacerbated by student expectations evidenced in this survey. Increasingly, students from all demographics are proficient consumers of technology, bringing assumptions into their study experience.

“Our UK study also found that a large proportion of students are confused about what AI is, and how it can be used in their educational setting. Many students expressed concerns about the ethical use of AI or its reliability, over AI potentially replacing human support, and there were also reports of university-wide bans. However, whilst many students believe AI can have an ethical and valid role in supporting their studies, they also felt their university did not have this understanding yet, and are being slow to react.”

Studiosity has responded to these educational needs by introducing Studiosity+, an AI technology offering feedback on written work. Bristow explained that Studiosity+ is designed to be ethical and research-driven, enhancing student learning experiences and providing universities with insights for institutional improvement.

"Our partnerships allow us to support students effectively and offer insights for institutional change," Bristow stated.