Americans support AI proficiency in college, but question its role

(CN) — Americans overwhelmingly believe college students should be taught how to use artificial intelligence, yet they worry that students are more likely to use the technology to avoid learning than to embrace it. They also strongly oppose colleges deploying AI for key functions like admissions screening and tutoring.

Those are among the findings of a Quinnipiac University Higher Ed Poll released Wednesday. The survey also shows broad support for the value of a college degree, positive views of international students and mixed feelings about shorter degree programs and federal student aid.

Seventy-four percent of Americans say it is either very important (42%) or somewhat important (32%) that college and university students be taught how to use AI. Just 23% say it is not so important or not important at all.

Yet when asked whether they think college students are more likely to use AI to help them learn or to help them avoid learning, 47% chose “avoid learning,” while 42% said “help learn.” Skepticism is even sharper among younger adults: 58% of 18- to 34-year-olds say students are more likely to use AI to avoid learning, compared with 35% who say it helps them learn. Older Americans are more optimistic.

Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy noted the irony.

“Interestingly, the youngest Americans, who most likely know better than anyone else how AI is being used in the classroom, make up the group least convinced that AI can have a positive impact on a student’s ability to learn,” he said via email.

Public wariness extends to institutional use of the technology. By a 59-to-30% margin, Americans oppose colleges using AI tools to screen new student applications. They also oppose the use of AI to tutor students 52-44%.

“While a large majority of Americans think students should know how to use AI, it’s a different story about its application,” Malloy said. “They say, ‘Keep it old school,’ by choosing human eyeballs over faceless algorithms when selecting and tutoring students.”

On the broader value of higher education, nearly 8 in 10 adults (78%) who earned an associate’s degree or higher say getting their degree was worth the cost. Among them, major reasons cited include more or different career paths and job opportunities, the quality of their education and earning more money. Only 20% said their degree was not worth it, with cost cited as the top drawback.

A majority of Americans (58%) give colleges and universities a positive grade for educating students, while 36% offer a negative assessment. Two-thirds (66%) view a college degree as a benefit to graduates.

“Graduates definitely feel they got their money’s worth,” Mallow said.

Views on structural changes to higher education are more divided. Thirty-six percent say a three-year “applied bachelor’s” degree with fewer courses is a better choice for most students than a traditional four-year degree; 42% call it about the same, and 13% say it is worse. A plurality (44%) want the federal government to increase funding for student loans, though support is strongest among those under 50.

International students receive strong endorsement from respondents. Seventy-six percent say their presence on American campuses is a good thing for the country. Majorities cite benefits including different perspectives that help U.S. students and talent for U.S. employers. Only 16% call it a bad thing.

The poll was conducted among 1,210 adults nationwide April 9-13 and includes a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

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