Students using generative AI confess they’re not learning as much

With the school year in full swing, six in 10 (59 per cent) Canadian students now use generative artificial intelligence (AI) for their schoolwork, up from 52 per cent a year earlier, finds new KPMG in Canada research. While most say the tools have improved the quality of their assignments and helped them with exams, two thirds admit they are not learning or retaining as much knowledge, raising concerns about its growing popularity among students.

“Educators should consider what the ramifications will be for this generation who, while adept at using technology, might not be developing the critical-thinking skills that they need to lead successful lives and careers,” says C.J. James, Partner and National Education Practice Leader, KPMG in Canada, ahead of the firm’s annual Advanced Education Symposium tomorrow in Toronto. “Surprisingly, more than 80 per cent of students are claiming generative AI-produced content as their own original work, and it appears that most aren’t telling their educator that they’re using these tools.”

According to the survey, as many as 63 per cent of students are using generative AI tools a few times a week. They are primarily using them to assist them with generating ideas (46 per cent), research (41 per cent) and editing and reviewing assignments (38 per cent).

While the research shows students are relying heavily on generative AI, they seem to feel bad about it, says Ms. James.

“Almost two-thirds told us they feel that using generative AI constitutes cheating and worry that they’ll get caught or in trouble for relying on it,” she says. “In a world where we know AI is the future, a learning experience that fosters a negative connection with the usage of AI is not just detrimental for educational institutions, but also for students who are the future of Canada.”

• 59 per cent of 423 Canadian students surveyed use generative AI in their schoolwork, compared to 52 per cent in 2023. That’s a year-over-year increase of 13 per cent
• 75 per cent say generative AI tools have improved the quality of their schoolwork
• Over two thirds (67 per cent) of students using generative AI say they don’t think they are learning or retaining as much knowledge
• 82 per cent admit that they claim generative AI content as their own work
• 70 per cent say they are turning to generative AI tools for help rather than asking their instructors
• 63 per cent say they use generative AI tools a few times per week; 14 per cent, a few times per month, 10 per cent, daily, and only 5 per cent on an ad-hoc basis. The remaining 4 per cent use it every few weeks, and just 5 per cent tried it and have barely or infrequently used it since
• Students primarily use generative AI for:
  • Generating ideas (46 per cent)
  • Research (41 per cent)
  • Editing / reviewing assignments (38 per cent)
  • Summarizing information from publicly available sources (36 per cent)
  • Writing essays or reports (32 per cent)
  • Doing tests or exams (24 per cent)

• 65 per cent say they feel that they are cheating when they use generative AI
• 63 per cent worry they will get caught by their educator/educational institution for using generative AI tools without their knowledge

Canadian students would like to see more AI adoption in the educational setting. Respondents ranked skills and career planning as the top area with opportunity for more AI (55 per cent), closely followed by onboarding and orientation (54 per cent), admissions (52 per cent) and course pathway planning (52 per cent).

“It’s clear that the business community is already turning to generative AI to drive innovation and turbo charge productivity,” says Ms. James. “Canadian educational institutions also have the opportunity and ability to harness AI in their operations to better equip administrators and instructors, and in their existing educational curricula to provide students with the skill sets they’ll need in the workforce.”

By analyzing large sets of data, generative AI can help educational institutions by improving administrative efficiency and student success.  For example, it would provide insights into student and department performance, promote student engagement, give educators more time to develop personalized learning experiences and create unique recruitment materials to attract potential students.

“With seven in 10 students saying they are turning to generative AI for help rather than their instructors, it’s imperative that post-secondary institutions adapt quickly to this new environment,” says Jameel Ahamed, Partner, Technology Strategy & Digital Transformation, KPMG in Canada. “Our poll findings clearly show they need to both leverage its power and set guidelines on use. While many have established governance policies, having the right framework in place will be essential to accelerating the adoption and delivery of generative AI for their employees, instructors, and students.

“For the technology to be an effective learning tool, students should know when they can and can’t use generative AI for their schoolwork. Instructors need guidelines on how they evaluate student work that is supported or enhanced by the technology – and they need to know how to ensure its use enhances, not detracts from student educational development and experience,” he adds.

• 74 per cent of students who use generative AI have used or plan to use it on their application for post-secondary school admissions
• 70 per cent use generative AI tools to create and/or refine their resume
• 34 per cent say it saves them 3-5 hours of time per week while another third (34 per cent) says it saves them 1-2 hours of time per week
• 58 per cent think generative AI will eventually replace the need for educational support staff like teaching assistants or tutors
• 79 per cent say their educator/educational institution uses tools to detect whether generative AI has been used in student work
• 51 per cent say their school has blocked generative AI web pages from laptops and/or internal networks

KPMG will hold a full-day symposium in Toronto on October 22 for post-secondary educational institutions, delving into topics from AI to improving financial sustainability and driving equity and access in higher education.

KPMG surveyed 2,606 Canadians (aged 18+) from August 6-21, 2024, using Sago’s Methodify online research platform to gauge the adoption and use of generative AI. Included in the survey were 423 students attending university, college, vocational, or high school educational institutions. Of the total students surveyed, 59 per cent use generative AI for their schoolwork. Forty-three per cent of the generative AI users are university students; 24 per cent are post-graduate or part-time students, 20 per cent are in college, seven per cent are in high school, and six per cent are in technical, trade or vocational school.

Roula Meditskos
National Communications and Media Relations
KPMG in Canada
(416) 549-7982
rmeditskos@kpmg.ca