A new YouGov survey reveals deep public skepticism about AI use in schools, with 89% of UK adults considering it “unacceptable” for students to employ artificial intelligence for coursework. However, nearly half (46%) approve of AI tools being used to improve punctuation and grammar, highlighting nuanced attitudes toward emerging classroom technologies.
The poll of 2,221 adults, commissioned by Cambridge University Press and Assessment, found only 16% believe reducing or eliminating coursework is the best solution to prevent AI misuse. This comes as education leaders grapple with maintaining assessment integrity amid rapidly advancing AI capabilities. OCR exam board chief Jill Duffy emphasized that “coursework is too important to lose,” urging policymakers to adapt rather than abandon traditional evaluation methods.
The findings follow an interim report from the government’s curriculum review, chaired by education expert Becky Francis, which identified AI as posing significant risks to academic standards. With final recommendations due this autumn, the review is considering reducing GCSE assessment volume while preserving coursework’s value.
Public resistance extends to educators’ AI use—62% oppose teachers employing the technology for grading, though 27% support it. Duffy advocates for a national AI strategy with equitable funding, arguing that properly implemented, AI could “test different skills” and alleviate England’s exam-heavy system. As classrooms increasingly intersect with technology, the survey underscores the challenge of balancing innovation with academic integrity in the AI era.