Background
This summary presents key findings on student use and views of Generative AI (GenAI) from the UCLA Class of 2025 Senior Survey. The responses reflect the perspectives of a cohort that began college before GenAI tools became widely available, with the majority in their second or third year when such tools were introduced. A new survey module on GenAI included responses from 6,639 out of 9,337 seniors awarded degrees in the 2024-2025 academic year. The survey included questions on students’ overall frequency of use of AI tools to support academic coursework, frequency of use for specific tasks, and perspectives on the role of AI in education, including concerns. Respondents included students from the College of Letters & Sciences, the School of Arts & Architecture, the School of Education & Information Studies, the Herb Alpert School of Music, the Luskin School of Public Affairs, and the School of Theater, Film, and Television. Percentages are computed out of the total non-missing responses for that question.
Key Findings
Student Use of AI
The majority of respondents (73%) affirmed using GenAI tools to support their coursework. Respondents indicated employing AI tools for a range of academic activities. The most frequently reported applications for these tools were to research a topic (60% of students reported this use), to brainstorm for a writing project or presentation (57%), and to study for exams (57%). Less common tasks included using AI tools to draft responses to written assignments (31% reported this use), generate code (30%), and translate languages for an assignment (25%).
Perspectives on Educational Use
Overall, the majority of respondents (65%) from the UCLA class of 2025 felt that GenAI is more helpful than harmful for student learning, while 35% disagreed with this statement. The majority of respondents (77%) felt that UCLA should provide training on using GenAI for instructors and teaching assistants. A similar proportion of respondents (75%) also felt that UCLA should provide training on using GenAI for students.
Concerns Regarding AI
While the majority of students reported a positive outlook on the use of AI in education, some students expressed concerns in open-ended responses. Some worried about negative impacts on critical thinking skills as a result of being overly dependent on AI and how this might affect the value of their education. Others expressed skepticism about AI’s accuracy or biases.
Conclusions
The majority of students from the UCLA Class of 2025 reported using AI to support their academic coursework and were optimistic about the potential for AI to support their learning. However, some students expressed skepticism or concern regarding the use of these tools in educational settings. The 2026 Senior Survey will ask additional questions about which tools students are using, accessibility of these tools, and specific impacts on students’ educational experiences.
Resources on GenAI
As GenAI continues to grow and evolve, its widespread use by students and opportunities for use in teaching and learning make it critical for instructors to reflect on how it affects the courses they teach. The TLC will continue to update its resources as developments occur.
Generative AI in Teaching and Learning
How and Why to Talk to Students about GenAI
Creating a GenAI Policy for your Course
Guidance for Suspected AI Misconduct