University assessments to be reviewed as 92% of students use AI

Nearly all students (92%) use AI in some form, the Student Generative AI Survey 2025 has found.

The report, which surveyed 1041 full-time undergraduate students, found that 88% of students have used generative AI for assessments – a figure that increased from 53% in 2024. Nearly one-fifth (18%) of students have inserted AI-generated text directly into their work.

The main uses of generative AI include explaining concepts, suggesting research ideas, and summarising articles. When students were asked their reasons for using AI, they stated that it saves time and improves the quality of their work.

The reasons why students are deterred from using AI are the risk of being accused of academic misconduct and fear of getting biased or false results.

Throughout the survey, men report more eagerness for using AI, as do wealthier students and those in STEM courses.

While most students think it is essential to have good AI skills, only 36% have been given support from their institution to develop them.

Every assessment must be reviewed in case it can be completed easily using AI. […] Ultimately, AI tools should be harnessed to advance learning rather than inhibit it

Josh Freeman, the report’s author

Josh Freeman, the report’s author, said: “Every assessment must be reviewed in case it can be completed easily using AI. […] Ultimately, AI tools should be harnessed to advance learning rather than inhibit it.”

Dr Thomas Lancaster, a computer scientist at Imperial College London who researches academic integrity, said: “I know some students are resistant to AI, and I can understand the ethical concerns, but they’re really putting themselves at quite a competitive disadvantage, both in education, and in showing themselves as ready for future careers.”

The majority of students (80%) stated in the survey that their institution’s policy on AI is “clear,” and 76% believe that their institution would spot AI usage in assessments.

A non-Warwick student told The Boar that her university “has been known to spot it for some people […], however, it is more likely they don’t spot it, as every single person that I know on my course uses AI and has never been caught.”

Another two non-Warwick students stated that they are either “not really familiar [with the policies]” or that their university’s policies were clear and “completely fair […] and used in the right way”.

A Warwick student stated that his department “has decent AI policies”.

“But I would never use ChatGPT for anything that would directly go into an essay; I think that’s crazy. Its propensity to lie is immense – it’s deeply untrustworthy,” he added.