College AI Use Now Outpaces the Rules Meant to Govern It
Digital Education Council polled 45,398 people in 35 countries: 88% of students and 77% of faculty already use AI tools.
- 57% of students say they lack adequate guidance on when AI use is even allowed.
- 95% of faculty fear students are growing overly dependent on the tools they assign.
- 22% of students report working without AI now feels harder than it used to.
Why it mattersIf most students already lean on a machine to think, what does the diploma still certify?
Digital Education Council — AI in Higher Education Global Survey 2026 ↗ · Jul 10, 20267/10/26 · ✓ Checked✓ Check