Results from a new YouGov-Studiosity survey indicate a strong student desire for the quicker integration of AI support tools for learning. The study found that almost two-thirds of UK students feel their university is not adopting such tools rapidly enough.
In the Student Wellbeing Survey, which included 2,422 UK students, 64% believed their university could speed up the integration of AI learning tools. However, only 39% of students actually expect their institution to provide these tools, signalling a need gap. Encouragely, 57% of international students at UK universities expect this support, significantly higher than their domestic peers at 37%.
Business students were discovered to be more inclined for their university to innovate and provide AI support at 57%. Meanwhile, the Humanities and Social Sciences students were less likely at a rate of 29%.
The main incentive for students to utilise their university's AI support or feedback is the speed of feedback, with 26% of respondents citing waiting minutes instead of a day or longer to get feedback as their primary reason. Confidence, specifically the tool's functionality of checking their progress and alignment with assignment requirements, came in second at 17%.
Globally, the survey comprised of responses from 10,189 students across higher education institutions in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Singapore, the UAE and the UK, during November and December 2023. Among the key findings were the high expectations among UAE and Saudi Arabia students for AI learning support at 84% and 79%, respectively. Similar to the UK, students in Australia (55%) and Canada (60%) also perceive their universities as not adapting swiftly enough to introduce AI support tools.
Commenting on the findings, Isabelle Bristow, Studiosity's Managing Director for UK and Europe, said, "The expansion of the capabilities of Generative AI was a big theme in 2023 and should now turn into action in higher education. Students from all demographics are proficient consumers of technology, as evidenced by the survey. However, many are still confused about what AI is, and how it can be used in their educational setting. Therefore, while they believe AI can have an ethical and valid role in supporting their studies, they also feel their university does not yet share this understanding."
In a proactive response to the study's implications, Studiosity has introduced new AI learning technology aimed at supporting all university students' academic literacy skills. According to Isabelle, "Studiosity+ allows institutions to give all their students formative feedback on their written work in minutes. It is learner-centric, research-driven, and built on strong higher education partnerships."
The solution, which prioritises ethical considerations and has a robust 'Humans in the Loop' process for quality assurances, allows universities to track students' progress and critical thinking development. According to Bristow, "This helps our partners support their students and provides actionable insight to champion institution-wide changes."
