88% of Students Now Use AI in Assessments, Universities Warned to Adapt

Image Courtesy: UCL Imagestore

British universities have been urged to “stress-test” assessments after the HEPI-Kortext Student Generative AI Survey 2025 revealed that 88% of students now use generative AI (GenAI), such as ChatGPT, to help with assessments. This figure has rocketed from 53% last year. In total, 92% of students use AI in “at least one way”, with author of the report, Josh Freeman, states that GenAI is now “deeply embedded in higher education”. 

Findings revealed that the most popular uses of GenAI included “explaining concepts” (58%), “summarising articles” (48%), and “suggesting research ideas” (41%). The survey also explored gender differences in AI usage patterns. 36% of men noted “to improve my AI skills” as a reason for using GenAI in comparison to 22% of women. The study proposes that this disparity may be justified by the male dominance in STEM fields, where the role of AI continues to grow exponentially.

Some participants also reported using AI for the sake of casual conversation, perhaps in correlation with growing rates of loneliness among students. While some regard AI as a positive solution to the modern loneliness epidemic, many see the attempt to replace human connection as dystopian and dangerously anti-social. 

However, while students are using AI more than ever, only 4% state that they are fully comfortable with using it. The most common reasons for feeling “put off” by AI include the fear of being accused of cheating (53%) and worries regarding AI hallucinations (51%). Over the past few years, universities have been attempting to push back on AI usage through AI detection softwares such as TurnItIn.

Many educational institutions have expressed concerns over AI potentially barring students from developing critical thinking skills. However, those at Kortext propose a more AI-inclusive approach, with Robin Gibson, Director of External Affairs, urging universities to place emphasis on “developing the skills to use these technologies effectively and ethically”.