As AI becomes a fixture in student workflows, the nature of learning itself is being reshaped in real time. While anecdotal evidence and one-off surveys offer glimpses into how students engage with these tools, what’s been missing is sustained research into their evolving behaviors.
Over the last four semesters, we’ve partnered with Morning Consult to track AI usage among college students, observing not only what tools they use but also how their behaviors and attitudes are shifting. Our findings reveal a clear progression: students are transitioning from trial-and-error to a more strategic and intentional use of AI. These insights provide valuable direction for educators and administrators navigating the future of teaching and learning.
From experimentation to everyday use
At the outset of our research in Fall 2023, students were just beginning to explore emerging generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, driven by curiosity about the new technology. Four semesters later, that phase has passed. Student usage has stabilized, with clear patterns emerging around key academic tasks: seeking answers or clarifying concepts (60%), editing writing (51%), getting homework help (48%), and receiving essay support (45%). These consistent behaviors signal a shift from novelty to intentional, strategic use.
Even more telling is the increase in frequency of use. Today, among students using AI tools for academic purposes, 81% report using AI tools at least weekly, a significant increase from previous semesters. What began as occasional use has become routine. As AI becomes more familiar and reliable, students are integrating it into the fabric of their academic routines, reshaping how they approach studying, assignments and comprehension.
How students leverage AI and what it reveals about learning
Our longitudinal data sheds light not only on usage frequency but also on how students engage with AI, revealing essential nuances in their evolving relationship with the technology.
The most consistent pattern across our research is the demand for personalized, real-time support. Clarifying concepts remains the leading use case, cited by 60% of students in each wave of data collection. This is consistent with usage patterns from our own AI study tools, where the majority of student interactions are with the Explain feature, which provides tailored explanations of concepts. These patterns underscore AI’s value in providing tailored explanations, but also raise key questions about academic engagement.
Are students using AI to deepen understanding, or to sidestep the learning process? Our analysis of nearly 130,000 student queries to Pearson’s AI-powered study tools provides encouraging insights into this question. While 80% of student queries focused on factual and conceptual knowledge in an introductory Biology eTextbook, approximately one-third of student inputs reflected more advanced cognitive complexity, according to Bloom’s taxonomy. This suggests many students are using AI not just to find quick answers, but to engage more deeply with the course material.
Institutions have an opportunity to frame AI use through the lens of engagement — encouraging active, reflective learning rather than seeking direct answers to homework questions. Clear guidelines, paired with robust digital literacy education, are essential to ensure that AI complements rather than compromises the learning experience.
Another enduring trend is the use of AI in writing. Fifty-one % of students using AI tools for school now report using AI for editing and proofreading, which has consistently been the second most common AI use case over the last four semesters. This suggests students see these tools as integral to the writing process, helping them refine and improve their work.
Perhaps the most forward-looking shift is students’ growing preference for AI-powered study tools. Over half (53%) now favor tools with built-in AI, and an increasing number are using AI to generate study materials themselves. This trend signals deeper integration, not just the adoption of AI, but its normalization within everyday academic practices.
Implications for the future of learning
The evolving ways students use AI offer clear signals for how higher education must adapt, both in the classroom and in the tools that support learning.
For curriculum design, our data highlights the need to prioritize critical thinking, information literacy, and the ethical use of technology. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in academic workflows, these skills will be vital for preparing students to succeed in an AI-augmented world in school and in the future workforce.
Faculty also have a timely opportunity to evolve their teaching strategies. Our research shows a decline in student concerns about cheating, alongside growing perceptions that instructors are becoming more open to AI. This shift creates space for innovation. With a clearer understanding of student behaviors, educators can design assignments that encourage deeper engagement while thoughtfully incorporating AI as a learning aid, not a shortcut.
For learning technology developers, the message is clear: Students want tools that are personalized, adaptive and seamlessly integrated into existing platforms. The most effective AI features won’t operate in isolation but will enhance core learning experiences, supporting students in ways that feel natural and intuitive.
A clearer path forward
Our four-semester study shows that student usage of AI is not a passing trend; it’s a maturing behavior that offers a valuable road map for the future of learning. Rather than approaching AI with unchecked enthusiasm or blanket skepticism, higher education leaders now have the data to engage in informed, nuanced conversations about how to integrate these tools responsibly to support student learning.
We encourage institutions to use these insights as a foundation for deeper conversations with students, not just about what AI can do, but how it should be used. The goal is not to replace the human elements of education, but to enhance them. As students adopt AI to support and personalize their learning, educators can also benefit — freeing up time from administrative tasks to focus more on direct, meaningful interactions. By centering strategies on students’ real-world behaviors and needs, we can build a future where AI strengthens critical thinking, creativity and impactful learning.
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
Subscribe to SmartBrief’s FREE email newsletters to see the latest hot topics on educational leadership in ASCD and ASCDLeaders. They’re among SmartBrief’s more than 200 industry-focused newsletters.