Study finds a gap in how students and lecturers perceive AI use

A study by the University of Manchester and Spain’s Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea found that academic staff and students have different perceptions of generative AI use in university study. Staff respondents rated student AI use at an average of 5.23 out of 7, while students gave an average rating of 3.11.

The research surveyed 45 academic staff and 86 students at a research-intensive university between April and June 2024. The researchers said students’ reports may understate their AI use, while lecturers can find it difficult to identify when AI has been used.

Common uses reported in the study included drafting text, checking grammar, conducting research and finding answers to assignments. The survey also recorded that 14% of staff used a paid AI tool subscription.

The findings reflect a two-year-old study at a single university, so they should be understood in that context. One of the authors, Dr Mark Carrigan, a senior lecturer in education at the University of Manchester, said debate about AI in universities often centers on cheating risks or the promise of transforming education, while the reality is more complex.

Carrigan said the gap in perceptions makes it harder for universities to develop effective responses based on students’ experiences. He argued that universities should move beyond suspicion and consider how AI tools can support learning, alongside changes to teaching and assessment.