4 in 5 Students Say AI Improved Their Academic Performance-But Only 20% of Universities Have a Formal AI Policy
MWN-AI** Summary
A recent report by Coursera reveals that AI is positively influencing academic performance among students and educators, with 78% of respondents across the U.S. and other countries noting benefits. However, despite the enthusiasm, the study also highlights a concerning lack of preparedness within U.S. higher education institutions to manage AI effectively, as only 20% have a formal AI policy in place. The AI in Higher Education Report surveyed over 4,200 university students and educators, revealing that nearly all utilize AI for personalized learning and efficiency gains.
Despite 50% of respondents asserting that the U.S. higher education system is ill-equipped to handle AI's implications, 70% believe it will enhance educational quality and exam performance. While students in the U.S. appear to be slower to adopt AI than their global counterparts—74% reported using it for less than half of their academic tasks—concerns over academic integrity loom large. A significant 65% believe unregulated AI could undermine degree credibility, and 40% of students view AI-related cheating as a serious risk.
The report underscores the urgent need for institutions to establish clear governance and provide faculty training in AI literacy. Currently, only 28% of educators have seen AI literacy integrated into their curriculum, while many lack confidence in their ability to identify AI-generated content. Coursera suggests that universities take proactive steps to embed AI literacy in professional development, equip professors with practical AI skills, and craft transparent policies governing AI use in education. By advancing these initiatives, institutions can harness the advantages of AI while maintaining academic standards.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The Coursera report illuminating the widespread usage of AI in higher education underscores an urgent need for strategic governance and policy adaptation by universities. Despite 78% of students and educators reporting AI's positive impact on academic performance, a mere 20% of universities have formulated formal AI policies. This discrepancy reveals substantial opportunities for growth within the sector.
Investors and educational stakeholders should note this gap in readiness, as it reflects a broader trend in the rapid integration of technology into education. Institutions that proactively develop AI policies and enhance AI literacy among faculty and students stand to gain a competitive advantage. For instance, universities that prioritize faculty training in AI tools will likely enhance their academic reputation, attract more students, and ultimately drive higher enrollment and revenue.
Moreover, with 50% of survey participants expressing concerns that the current academic landscape is unprepared to manage AI, there’s a call for leadership in establishing ethical standards and governance frameworks. Organizations that invest in robust AI tools and educational initiatives could position themselves as leaders in a transformed education market.
While AI presents challenges related to academic integrity—where 65% believe unregulated AI might undermine degree credibility—institutions have an opportunity to address these concerns head-on through transparent policy-making. Implementing structures that guide the appropriate use of AI can mitigate fears of plagiarism and enhance the learning environment, potentially leading to improved educational outcomes.
For investors looking to capitalize, backing firms like Coursera that are innovating in the AI educational space may prove beneficial. Their focus on creating courses tailored to help educators and students harness AI effectively positions them favorably in a market ripe for change. Overall, as higher education embraces AI's potential, strategic policy development will be key to unlocking its full benefits.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
New Coursera report shows half of U.S. higher education institutions are unprepared to manage AI
- 78% of U.S. students and educators say AI is having a positive impact on higher education
- 50% believe the U.S. higher education system is unprepared to manage AI
AI adoption is widespread among U.S. university students and educators, yet half believe higher education is not fully prepared to manage its impact, according to a new survey released today by Coursera (NYSE: COUR), a leading global online learning platform.
The AI in Higher Education Report , based on responses from more than 4,200 university students and educators across the United States, United Kingdom, India, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia, found that nearly all students and educators use AI to facilitate personalized training, provide real-time feedback, and increase productivity and efficiency.
“AI is delivering real benefits on campus, yet many institutions are still working to keep pace,” said Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “With only a small share of U.S. universities reporting a formal AI policy, there’s a clear need for stronger governance, faculty training, and thoughtful implementation. When we build confidence alongside capability, we can ensure AI truly expands opportunity for every learner.”
AI adoption on U.S. campuses shows that:
- 78% of educators and students feel positive about AI’s impact on higher education, compared to 81% globally
- 14% say it is having a negative impact, slightly higher than the 9% average across countries surveyed
- 7% of students report not using AI at all, compared to 3% globally
- 20% of educators report that their university has a formal AI policy in place
- Half believe the higher education system is unprepared to handle AI
Globally, survey findings show:
- 70% believe AI will improve exam performance and the overall quality of higher education
- 63% of students say they use AI for less than half of their academic tasks, and only 5% use AI for more than 80% of their work
- 80% of students say AI has positively supported their learning experience
Academic Integrity and Governance
Concerns remain around academic integrity and degree credibility. Across markets, 65% believe unregulated AI could undermine degree credibility, and 37% worry it will increase plagiarism. Students report heightened concern about cheating, with 40% viewing AI-related cheating as a significant threat.
Confidence among educators also appears limited. Only 27% of educators say they feel confident identifying AI-generated content, and just 25% believe they and their peers have the skills needed to use AI effectively.
The report also highlights governance and literacy gaps. Globally, 56% of students and educators believe their higher education system is unprepared to manage AI. Just 28% of educators say AI literacy has been incorporated into the curriculum. Additionally, 24% of students surveyed admit to submitting AI-generated work without disclosure.
Additional Global Findings
- 95% of students and educators report using AI tools in their academic work
- 37% worry AI may reduce human interaction and erode interpersonal skills
- 53% of university students in India say AI positively impacts their studies
- 91% of students and educators in Saudi Arabia report a positive overall impact
- 69% of Mexican students say AI has improved their grades
As AI becomes embedded in higher education, institutions should prioritize faculty upskilling and clear governance, consistently and transparently communicated, to ensure responsible and effective adoption. Other report recommendations include:
- Integrating AI literacy into professional development
- Equipping educators with practical AI skills
- Establishing transparent policies that guide appropriate use in teaching, assessment, and research
By grounding decisions in research, fostering human collaboration, and creating structured guidance for both faculty and students, universities can build confidence, protect academic standards, and harness AI to strengthen learning outcomes.
As a global online learning platform, Coursera offers a range of solutions to empower faculty as they navigate AI in the classroom, including Academic Integrity tools that have promoted robust learning across over 13 million course completions; and a range of courses from leading universities designed to support faculty engagement, including Generative AI for Educators & Teachers from Vanderbilt University and AI in Education: Leveraging ChatGPT for Teaching from The Wharton School, in collaboration with OpenAI.
To learn more, download the full report here .
About Coursera
Coursera was launched in 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller with a mission to provide universal access to world-class learning. Today, it is one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 197 million registered learners as of December 31, 2025. Coursera partners with over 375+ leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, and degrees. Coursera’s platform innovations — including generative AI-powered features like Coach, Role Play, and Course Builder, and role-based solutions like Skills Tracks — enable instructors, partners, and companies to deliver scalable, personalized, and verified learning. Institutions worldwide rely on Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, students, and citizens in high-demand fields such as GenAI, data science, technology, and business, while learners globally turn to Coursera to master the skills they need to advance their careers. Coursera is a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp.
Methodology
This research was commissioned by Coursera and conducted by Censuswide. The survey included 4,261 university educators (professors, lecturers, and seminar or discussion leaders) and university students aged 18 and older across the United States, United Kingdom, India, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.
Data was collected between October 15 and October 23, 2025 through an online survey. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number for clarity.
Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260225650802/en/
For media : Arunav Sinha, [email protected]
FAQ**
How might the findings of the Coursera Inc. COUR report impact investment strategies in AI education tools for higher education institutions?
With 50% of U.S. higher education institutions feeling unprepared to manage AI, how can Coursera Inc. COUR capitalize on this gap in governance and training?
Considering that only 20% of educators have a formal AI policy, what opportunities does this present for Coursera Inc. COUR to offer tailored policy development courses?
Given that 78% of students and educators view AI positively, how can Coursera Inc. COUR leverage this sentiment to expand its AI-related course offerings in higher education?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Coursera Inc. (NYSE: COUR).
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