Over half of UK pupils unable to spot AI

Over half of UK pupils (53 per cent) do not feel confident identifying AI-generated information, according to new research by Oxford University Press (OUP). The study surveyed 2,000 students aged 13–18 across the UK. One third of UK students stated they can’t tell if AI content is true, whilst a fifth were unsure. The findings also showed that eight in 10 young people use AI tools in their schoolwork.

The rise of AI in the classroom is likely to be addressed in the impending Curriculum Review and the National Year of Reading coming up next year. This research sheds new light on the skills that students feel are being developed or inhibited by AI. These skills include problem solving, creating new ideas, writing and revising.

Students want more clarity from teachers

• The recent OUP research revealed that almost half (48 per cent) of pupils want support from their teachers to help them understand what content generated by AI is trustworthy and reliable.
• Over half (51 per cent) of pupils called for more clarity on when they should be using AI tools in their schoolwork.
• A further third of students believe their teachers are not confident in using AI tools in lessons.
• One in three pupils want their teachers to make more use of AI resources in the classroom.

Pupils are concerned about the impact of AI on their schoolwork

• Among the top concerns for students was AI tools encouraging copying rather than original work (60 per cent).
• Over half (51 per cent) worry that AI resources may be biased or reinforce untrue stereotypes.
• 48 per cent of young people are concerned pupils in their year are secretly using AI to do their schoolwork.
• 47 per cent worry their teachers are unable to spot when this happens.

Oxford University Press unveils AI and Education Hub

To support schools, OUP has published a report titled ‘Teaching the AI-Native Generation’. This report delves into young people’s sentiments on AI in the classroom. It includes regional breakdowns for teachers to see localised insights. Expert guidance for developing AI literacy in the classroom is also included.

Alongside the report, OUP is also unveiling their AI and Education Hub. This is a dedicated site with insights and top-tips from experts across the EdTech industry. It is updated regularly with articles. It also includes teacher led advice for peer-to-peer support.

On the AI and Education Hub schools will also find OUP’s AI Framework for UK School Resources. This outlines the set of guiding values and principles OUP follows in the design of their AI tools for UK schools.

Secondary product director, Amie Lawless, at Oxford University Press, said:

“It’s encouraging to see from the research how aware young people are of the challenges surrounding AI and how eagerly they want to collaborate with their teachers to address the issues. We know that teachers are under many different pressures, which is why we developed our new AI and Education Hub to bring together educators and experts across the industry to provide guidance, inspiration and support to schools as AI becomes increasingly integrated in the classroom.

“Most importantly however, the findings offer a valuable reminder of bringing together trusted content and sound learning design principles with responsible AI tools which put the learner’s needs at the core.”

Despite concerns, 90 per cent of students say AI has developed a skill in relation to schoolwork

• Problem solving was rated top by almost one fifth (18 per cent).
• Creating new ideas was also highly ranked (15 per cent).
• Revision and exam preparation were also noted (13 per cent).

Yet six in 10 students (62 per cent) felt AI also negatively impacted school related skills

• A quarter (26 per cent) stated AI made it too easy to do work for them.
• One in 10 believed it limits their creative thinking (12 per cent) and creative writing (10 per cent).

Guidance

Further guidance for teachers is available on the AI and Education Hub. It demonstrates how to mitigate against the negative impact on skills and capitalise on the benefits AI offers in relation to education.