Embracing AI in Academia: Insights from the Class of 2028
As the academic landscape evolves, so too do the tools utilized by students to navigate their educational journeys. The Chronicle recently conducted an insightful survey examining the Class of 2028’s experiences during their first year at Duke University, shedding light on how generative AI has significantly influenced their academic practices.
The Rise of Generative AI in Learning
One of the most striking revelations from the survey is the extensive use of generative AI among the Class of 2028. Defined as tools capable of generating text, images, or other media, generative AI has become a fixture in students’ academic routines. The results show that approximately 60% of respondents utilize generative AI at least weekly for their assignments. Intriguingly, about 13% report using this technology daily, while a mere 19.6% state that they have never engaged with it.
This trend marks a notable increase compared to the previous year’s Class of 2027 survey, where nearly 49.3% of students claimed they never used generative AI. The Class of 2027 had just begun their Duke experience when surveyed, potentially explaining the disparity in usage rates.
Common Applications of AI Tools
When diving deeper into the specific applications of generative AI, the survey reveals that the most common use case is for problem sets, with 38.8% of respondents employing AI for this purpose. Other frequent applications include coding assignments and applications for internships or competitive campus programs. Notably, less than 10% of students reported using generative AI for presentations or creative projects.
The types of assignments differ somewhat between the disciplines. Students from the Pratt School of Engineering are more likely to use AI for coding tasks, with 28.4% reporting this practice, whereas students in the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences predominantly use AI for shorter written assignments and various applications.
Disciplinary Differences in AI Use
Interestingly, the field of study plays a role in shaping students’ AI usage patterns. Regardless of discipline, a vast majority—over 75%—of students in arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences report some use of generative AI, with more than half in each discipline using it at least weekly. However, engineering students are particularly inclined to use AI daily.
When comparing the frequency of use among disciplines, about 25% of arts and humanities students reported never using AI, contrasting with 19.7% of natural sciences students and 18.8% of social sciences students.
Exploring Methods of AI Engagement
For the first time, the survey explored not just whether students used AI, but how exactly they employed it. Respondents ranked various methods on a scale from one to five, leading to some fascinating insights. The most prevalent use of AI involved seeking explanations of assignment content, closely followed by verifying the accuracy of their work. Students also frequently utilized AI for idea generation and editing their writing for content or style. Interestingly, the least common practice was relying on AI to complete assignments entirely on their behalf.
Perceptions of Course Rigor
Beyond AI usage, the survey delved into students’ perceptions of course difficulty at Duke compared to their high school experiences. Students overwhelmingly reported that Duke courses present a higher level of challenge. The most significant shift in difficulty was noted in STEM courses, with 43.8% of respondents stating that their high school STEM classes felt significantly easier than what they face at Duke. In contrast, in humanities and social sciences, students felt that their high school courses were only slightly easier.
These insights from the Class of 2028 paint a vivid picture of a generation of students increasingly integrating AI tools into their academic practices while navigating a notably challenging curriculum at Duke. The impact of these developments will likely continue to evolve, shaping the future of education in unprecedented ways.