The wide-ranging survey, conducted by Quinnipiac University, shows mixed feelings about AI use on college campuses.
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Americans generally believe that it is important for colleges to incorporate artificial intelligence into their curriculum, yet they remain skeptical about whether it’s possible to do so without threatening the overall quality of students’ education, a new survey from Quinnipiac University shows.
Although nearly 75 percent of Americans think it is important that college and university students be taught how to use AI, only 42 percent think students are likely to use AI to help them learn. Meanwhile, 47 percent think college students are more likely to use AI to help them avoid learning.
And while one could assume that older generations, or those less familiar with AI, are more cynical about the new technology, the survey found the opposite.
“Who is most skeptical about the merits of having AI provide a learning assist? By age, the generation most likely to be familiar with the workings of AI in the classroom,” said Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy.
About 58 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds believe students will use AI to avoid learning. That’s almost 25 percentage points higher than respondents 65 and older (35 percent).
The survey, conducted from April 9 to 13, 2026, included responses from 1,210 adults. Of those participants, 24 percent identified as Republican, 26 percent Democrat, 37 percent Independent and 13 percent other.
Other topics touched on include the worth of a college degree, perceptions of how colleges and universities are performing, approval of three-year degrees, and the value of enrolling international students.
