A new report from Cengage Group, a global edtech leader, highlights the increasing adoption of generative AI (GenAI) in K12 and higher education (HED), alongside shifting perceptions and concerns among educators and students, as highlighted in Business Wire.
Key Findings: Rising Optimism and Adoption
- Optimism for GenAI has grown by 5% across both K12 and HED.
- 55% of K12 teachers and 45% of HED instructors now hold positive views on GenAI.
- Adoption rates are rising, with 63% of K12 teachers (+12% YoY) and 49% of HED instructors(+5% YoY) incorporating GenAI into teaching.
“We are just scratching the surface on the potential GenAI has for personalizing learning and supporting educators, and it’s encouraging to see such optimism and adoption growth in this market.” — Darren Person, Chief Digital Officer at Cengage Group.
AI Literacy & Skills: A Growing Priority
Both students and instructors recognize the importance of AI literacy in education:
Yet, 65% of students feel they know more about AI than their instructors, and 45% wish their instructors would integrate AI into coursework.
- 92% of HED instructors and 83% of students believe AI literacy should be included in courses.
- 84% of students think AI proficiency will be crucial for future employment.
Yet, 65% of students feel they know more about AI than their instructors, and 45% wish their instructors would integrate AI into coursework.
How GenAI is Being Used in Education
Higher Education (HED) Trends
Instructors use GenAI for:
K12 Trends
“Educators and administrators remain optimistic about the potential of GenAI and are starting to realize the positive impact it can have on learning.” — Kimberly Russell, VP of UX, Market & Product Research at Cengage Group.
Instructors use GenAI for:
- Creating course content (45%, +11% YoY)
- Lesson planning (42%, +18% YoY)
- Administrative tasks (36%, +3% YoY)
- Summarizing complex concepts (67%)
- Generating writing ideas (61%)
- Creating study materials (55%)
K12 Trends
- 40% of K12 teachers started using GenAI this school year (+18% YoY).
- Top concerns include data privacy (32%, +4% YoY) and academic integrity (83%).
- Most administrators (96%) and teachers (87%) believe AI will play a bigger role in boosting engagement and bridging traditional/online learning gaps.
“Educators and administrators remain optimistic about the potential of GenAI and are starting to realize the positive impact it can have on learning.” — Kimberly Russell, VP of UX, Market & Product Research at Cengage Group.
Future AI Use Cases in Education
Educators want AI tools that:
While adoption grows, concerns remain—K12 educators increasingly worry about data privacy and ethical risks, while higher education instructors require more training to meet student expectations. 'There is tremendous potential for K12 to continue realizing the impact that GenAI can have on education, but first, we must overcome gaps around data and privacy concerns,' emphasizes Darren Person, Chief Digital Officer at Cengage Group.
GenAI is transforming education, offering new ways to personalize learning, streamline tasks, and prepare students for the future. However, balancing innovation with ethical considerations remains critical.
- Support language learners (63% in HED, 17% in K12)
- Detect cheating (57% in HED)
- Personalize learning (52% in HED, 27% in K12)
- Automate administrative tasks (55% in HED, 20% in K12)
While adoption grows, concerns remain—K12 educators increasingly worry about data privacy and ethical risks, while higher education instructors require more training to meet student expectations. 'There is tremendous potential for K12 to continue realizing the impact that GenAI can have on education, but first, we must overcome gaps around data and privacy concerns,' emphasizes Darren Person, Chief Digital Officer at Cengage Group.
GenAI is transforming education, offering new ways to personalize learning, streamline tasks, and prepare students for the future. However, balancing innovation with ethical considerations remains critical.