Currys study reveals student use of AI in education and divided opinions on its ethics

A recent study by Currys highlights how university students and recent graduates in the UK are using artificial intelligence for academic purposes. The survey, which included nearly 1,000 respondents, shows that while AI is widely used for studying, many students remain divided on whether using it is ethical.

The study found that 67% of students believe AI benefits their studies, with 24% admitting to using AI tools to complete assignments. Despite this, 50% of students consider using AI to be lazy, and 41% feel that AI use is akin to cheating.

Top 10 uses of AI by students

Students are using AI tools for a variety of tasks, with the top applications being:

1. Researching and gathering information – 47%

2. Summarizing content – 39%

3. Writing assistance – 28%

4. Problem-solving – 27%

5. Generating study notes – 25%

6. Exam preparation – 20%

7. Learning new concepts – 20%

8. Language translation – 19%

9. Data analysis – 18%

10. Time management – 16%

Tools like ChatGPT-4, Perplexity, Grammarly, and Quillbot are among the most commonly used platforms to help students save time on research, summarization, and writing tasks.

Top 10 universities for AI course enrollments

The study also examined the rise of AI-related courses at UK universities. Enrollments for AI courses have tripled over the past five years. The universities with the highest number of AI course enrollments in 2022/23 are:

1. The University of Hull – 690 students

2. The University of Edinburgh – 405 students

3. The University of Bradford – 325 students

4. The University of Bath – 320 students

5. The University of Surrey – 280 students

6. The University of Liverpool – 270 students

7. Imperial College London – 255 students

8. The University of Sheffield – 240 students

9. The University of Sussex – 215 students

10. Loughborough University – 210 students

Top 10 courses with rising enrollments due to AI

In addition to AI-specific courses, other disciplines have seen notable increases in enrollments influenced by AI trends:

1. Information Technology – Up 3514%

2. Business Computing – Up 2384%

3. Software Engineering – Up 265%

4. Computer Games and Animation – Up 112%

5. Biotechnology – Up 100%

6. Data Science – Up 95%

7. Cybersecurity – Up 87%

8. Robotics – Up 75%

9. Machine Learning – Up 65%

10. Health Informatics – Up 58%

University Policies and Consequences

As AI becomes more integrated into academic life, universities are adapting policies to guide responsible use. Institutions like Oxford University encourage AI as a writing aid but impose penalties for misuse.

The Currys study revealed that 14% of students knew someone penalized for improper AI use. Consequences included:

• Marks capped at a pass (40%) for a module.

• Assignment resubmission due to high AI similarity scores on Turnitin.

• Failing a module, repeating a year, or expulsion in severe cases.

Student attitudes toward AI

The study also explored how students feel about AI’s role in their future careers. 63% believe AI enhances their career prospects, and 75% consider AI skills essential for the future.

As AI continues to evolve, it is clear that it will be a permanent fixture in education and the wider world. While many students view AI positively, others remain concerned about its impact. The mixed outlook reflects the ongoing challenge of integrating AI responsibly into academic and professional life.

When asked about their feelings toward an AI-driven future:

• 21% feel excited.

• 20% are curious.

• 18% are optimistic.

• 12% feel anxious or worried.