Educated but Unprepared

Despite growing up in the digital age, over half of Generation Z individuals feel anxious about the usage of AI—what’s missing in their education? A recent study revealed that 52% of respondents believe K–12 schools should mandate courses that teach students how to harness AI effectively and responsibly. Interestingly, while 79% of Gen Z reports using AI tools, more than half of Gen Z adults admit feeling uncertain and uneasy about its use—highlighting a strong demand for clearer guidance in education.

These results align with findings from a 2024 Student Voice survey, where 31% of college students reported uncertainty about when or how to use AI in their coursework. For those who did receive guidance, only a third of respondents indicated that faculty provided effective and useful direction on appropriate AI use. These statistics suggest that while AI tools are increasingly integrated into academic settings, clear policies and guidance remain inconsistent, leaving students to navigate this complex landscape largely on their own.

To fully harness the capabilities and benefits of AI, there is a clear need for faculty guidance in educational settings to help students use these technological innovations safely and accurately. Dr. Nathan Pritts offers compelling insights on the integration of AI in education assessment in the book, Educational Assessments in the Age of Generative AI (ISBN: 9798369363515).