Artificial intelligence has now been around for more than five years, which is a long time given the pace of technology. Students eagerly latched on to it as a way of getting their work done without actually putting any effort. Is that still a growing trend — or might it be waning?

In today’s Martin Center article, Gabriella DiPrima points to some evidence that some students might be turning against AI.

She writes:

A recent study from Tyton Partners reveals that what students believe about AI use is quite at odds with their actual AI use. The study, which surveyed over 1,500 students, more than 1,500 instructors, and over 300 administrators, reveals that student and faculty attitudes toward AI in academia have both taken a downturn since 2024. Turning to artificial intelligence for academic assistance is not widely believed, by either students or educators, to be conducive to greater educational quality. Student preference for AI as a primary source of academic help has dropped 13 percentage points since 2024.

That’s a small bright spot, but hardly reason to celebrate. At least some students still want to actually learn things in college. Many others, however, are content to take the easy AI path. Faculty members need to take the lead in combating AI abuse. DiPrima continues, “What is needed now is for professors to help students live up to what they say they believe. Instructors cite ineffective studying, a lack of appropriate prerequisites, and a lack of motivation as major hindrances of student success. Forty-five percent of instructors cite cheating prevention as their primary classroom concern.”

Alas, there are many faculty members who don’t much care about cheating since giving students high grades and avoiding confrontation is the easy path for them.

Read the whole thing.