Half of college students in the U.S. say learning artificial intelligence is their most important goal during school, according to a new Grammarly survey. But as AI explodes on campus, many say they’re winging it — with little guidance and growing concerns about fairness, privacy, and the future of work.
Students Want AI Skills More Than Anything Else
It’s official: coding, networking, and even landing an internship have taken a back seat. According to a July survey of 2,000 U.S. college students by Grammarly and Talker Research, 50% said the most important skill they expect to pick up during their degree is mastering AI.
That’s a big shift. Not just in what students are learning — but in how they see their futures.
A whopping 62% said they believe responsible AI use is essential for career success. These aren’t just STEM majors, either. Students in liberal arts, business, and even the arts are piling into AI tools, trying to get ahead.
They’re not wrong. AI is already reshaping entry-level jobs, forcing a rethink of what being “workforce ready” even means.
AI Use Is Surging, But Students Say They’re On Their Own
So students are using AI. A lot. The report says 87% of respondents already use it for schoolwork, and 90% use it outside the classroom — everything from writing assistance to life advice.
But here’s the catch: 55% say they’re figuring it out alone. Only 11% said their instructors actively encouraged them to use AI in their studies.
And that disconnect shows.
Nearly half — 46% — worry they could get in trouble for how they use AI. Around 10% said they already have had issues. Some schools are strict. Others are vague. Many students are left guessing.
69% of students said professors have mentioned AI policies, but most say it’s still unclear how AI fits into actual assignments.
One student might be allowed to use ChatGPT to brainstorm. Another could fail an assignment for doing the exact same thing. It’s the wild west out there.
Schools Are Scrambling to Set Rules
What’s allowed — and what’s not — varies from campus to campus. Even from class to class.
Among schools that have AI policies:
30% allow AI only for specific assignments.
31% allow general use, as long as students cite it.
32% ban it outright.
Confusing? You bet.
That’s part of why so many students say they’re using AI behind the scenes — not just for academics, but for things they’d rather not talk about.
One in four said they use AI for “life advice.” And nearly a third use it for tasks they’re embarrassed to ask about in person. That’s everything from drafting breakup texts to figuring out how to appeal a parking ticket.
The Most Popular Use Cases Aren’t What You Think
Forget cheating. Most students aren’t just plugging prompts into AI to churn out essays. They’re using it to learn — and to feel less lost.
Let’s break down the top academic uses, according to the survey:
| AI Usage Type | % of Students Using |
|---|---|
| Brainstorming ideas | 49% |
| Grammar/spelling support | 42% |
| Understanding concepts | 41% |
| Embarrassing tasks | 29% |
| Life advice | 25% |
That tells a different story from the one we usually hear about AI and plagiarism. For many students, AI isn’t replacing learning. It’s replacing isolation.
Industry Voices Warn of a Bigger Picture
Not everyone’s cheering the AI rush.
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek that we’re racing ahead on tech — but leaving behind critical skills.
“Treating AI like a magic bullet is a mistake,” he said. “If we keep funneling students into tech skills without teaching them how to think critically, collaborate and advocate for themselves… we’re setting them up to be overworked, replaceable and underpaid.”
That’s a heavy warning.
He’s not alone. Darren Kimura, CEO of AI Squared, agrees that AI is useful — but only if it’s paired with human judgment. “It’s about augmentation, not automation,” he said.
Still, both say AI fluency is now part of baseline job prep. Like knowing how to write a resume or use Excel.
It’s no longer optional.
What’s Coming Next? More Pressure, More AI, More Questions
Universities are now under pressure to catch up. Policies, faculty training, and full AI courses are on the table. But it’s a race against time.
AI isn’t standing still.
Already, 86% of global college students are using it in their studies, according to a 2024 report by the Digital Education Council. That figure’s likely even higher now.
More schools will have to answer big questions:
Should AI use be part of the core curriculum?
How do you balance innovation with integrity?
Who gets left behind if AI fluency becomes the new literacy?
Meanwhile, students are moving fast — with or without guidance.
And as AI begins to replace some entry-level jobs, Kimura says community colleges and universities might see a second wave of reskilling. “Managers will need to learn how to manage AI workers the same way they manage people,” he said.
That might sound like science fiction. But it’s already happening.
