Nearly Half of Students Reported Using AI

All surveyed anonymously claimed to have never used the technology for English.

Illustration by David Yang

Generative Artificial Intelligence has taken off in the past two years. Since January 2023, ChatGPT has been one of the fastest-growing applications in history, with over 100 million monthly active users. AI demonstrates the astonishing potential for technology to play an even more involved role in human lives. It’s especially a cause for controversy here: teachers tend to argue that AI degrades integrity and impedes learning, while 47% of students report having used the technology for school.

The Anvil interviewed 47 students in order to gather multiple perspectives on the fast-paced and current daily integration of AI in our lives; they were asked multiple questions regarding the use of AI, and their responses were kept anonymous. The students spanned from 9th to 12th grade, with 22 male students (47%) and 25 female students (53%).

Out of the 47, there were 19 Freshmen, 11 Sophomores, 13 Juniors, and 4 Seniors. When asked, Have you used AI? 83% responded yes, and 17% responded no. From the “no” responses, it was fairly equal when looking across grade levels. Out of the 47 students, the majority (53%) reported not using AI on homework, projects, and brainstorming. This majority does take into account the students who haven’t used AI before. Of the 39 students who have used AI before, 56% of them use it on school topics. 

The students who use AI for topics other than school use it for cooking recipes, random advice, inspiration, writing prompts, songwriting tips, fun facts, and in general to have fun with technology. When AI is used for topics relating to school, students mainly use it for STEM questions, such as math, physics, and biology. Students reported that AI helps them understand STEM concepts. For example, students report that AI is useful when it breaks down science readings into simple explanations that are more easily digestible. Additionally, it can be useful when it highlights certain math terms and interpretations of mathematical problems. Other students use it as a resource when studying for tests, such as creating practice tests, problems, and quizzes. Students have deliberately said that they would never use AI for anything related to English, showcasing Middlesex’s strong values of no cheating of any form in the English department. Many students as well have said that they have replaced Google with ChatGPT, as it explains and elaborates in a more human way.

Student responses to the future of AI and its implications for society were mixed. Although many students believe it can assist us with health, education, and diagnosing diseases, others believe that AI will completely take over and ruin human creativity, or even worse, the human race. Students express the need for more regulation over AI, especially with misuse and possible ethical concerns. Other students worry that AI will replace certain low-cost jobs and will further lead companies to shift to a profit focus instead of regarding human values. Uncertainty and unpredictability are the leading aspects of all the responses. The responses showcase that when addressing AI, there is a large uneasiness with no solid answers.

Mia Koopersmith