Prince Thakur
2 months ago
Employers Say Students Need AI Skills. What If Students Don’t Want Them?
Colleges and universities are considering new ways to incorporate generative AI into teaching and learning, but not every student is on board with the tech yet. Experts weigh in on the necessity of AI in career preparation and higher education’s role in preparing students for jobs of the future.
A survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab asked students if they knew when, how or whether to use generative artificial intelligence to help with coursework. Student responses revealed the importance of faculty communication around generative AI policies in the classroom but also highlighted some learners’ disdain for using the technology in any capacity.
Among the 5,025-plus survey respondents, around 2 percent (n=93), provided free responses to the question on AI policy and use in the classroom. Over half (55) of those responses were flat-out refusal to engage with AI. A few said they don’t know how to use AI or are not familiar with the tool, which impacts their ability to apply appropriate use to coursework.
But as generative AI becomes more ingrained into the workplace and higher education, a growing number of professors and industry experts believe this will be something all students need, in their classes and in their lives beyond academia.
“The big picture is that it’s not going to slow down and it’s not going to go away, so we need to work quickly to ensure that the future workforce is prepared,” says Shawn VanDerziel, president and CEO of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). “That’s what employers want. They want a prepared workforce, and they want to know that higher education is equipped to fill those needs of industry.”
Students Say
The Student Voice survey reflects other national studies on student perceptions of generative artificial intelligence. While some learners are ready to embrace the technology head-on, they remain in the minority.
Students Weigh in On AI
Students share their opinions on artificial intelligence use in the classroom.
A summer 2023 study by Chegg found 20 percent of students in the U.S. (n=1,018) say they’ve used generative AI for their studies, the second-lowest adoption rate among other surveyed countries. A majority of U.S. students believe use of generative AI tools should be limited in assessed work (53 percent), and 10 percent believe it should be banned.
Fewer than half of U.S. learners said they want their curriculum to include training on AI tools (47 percent). One-quarter of respondents indicated AI would not be relevant to their future career, and 17 percent said they don’t want the training at all.