Generative AI is already influencing student decision-making. Over a third of students said that Generative AI had an influence on their choice of course, university and career. That’s according to a new QS report: “Universities, students and the Generative AI imperative”.
Here, we’ve pulled together the executive summary and key findings of the report. For in-depth analysis read the full report.
Introduction
Since the explosion of Generative AI in early 2023, the genie is truly out of the bottle and there is no turning back. Leaders at many organisations have been experimenting with the range of Generative AI platforms and are asking their teams: What more can Generative AI do for us?
QS conducted a survey late in 2023 to provide a snapshot to higher education institutions on the perspectives of Generative AI from academics and students. This report analyses the results of the 1,663 respondents to the QS Generative AI Pulse Survey.
Higher education institutions are at the heart of both the potential and the challenges of Generative AI: Researchers are advancing the technology, students are innovating with different learning platforms and approaches, teaching staff are exploring both how generative AI usage challenges traditional assessment approaches and how they can incorporate this exciting development into the curriculum. Employers are actively seeking graduates who incorporate Generative AI into their everyday tasks and understand its potential for efficiencies, scale and pace.
We believe that higher education has a leading role to play in understanding, advancing, utilising and managing Generative AI. With this report, we aim to provide institutions with insights into the current usage and influence of generative AI, and to outline the most pressing concerns and offer recommendations for its practical applications.
Generative AI is a class of artificial intelligence system that uses advanced machine-learning technology to generate new content from existing data. The technology uses patterns to understand and replicate structures and features from the existing data, including text and images.
Key findings
- Generative AI is already influencing student decision-making.
Over a third of students said that Generative AI had an influence on their choice of course, university and career.
- Four out of five students are using Generative AI during their studies.
The most popular platform among students is OpenAI’s GPT-3.
- AI breakthroughs are creating a growing interest in computer science programmes.
The number one subject choice of students shifted from engineering to computer science and information systems.
- 92% of academics say they are familiar with Generative AI platforms.
Though only 30% describe themselves as extremely or very familiar.
- Over two-fifths of students feel that AI amplifies their capacity to focus on what they consider to be important.
43% said they felt AI was increasing their cognitive abilities and 28% said they felt that AI reduced their daily screen exposure.
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