Report: AI Is a Must for Modern Learners

A new report from VitalSource identifies a growing demand among learners for AI tools, declaring that "AI isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must." The digital course materials provider surveyed more than 1,000 U.S.-based students currently or recently enrolled in higher education courses, to find out about their perceptions of the value of higher education, expectations for AI learning tools, and more.

Nearly two-thirds of all respondents (61%) said they have used AI tools in their coursework at least once. When broken down by student enrollment year, the data on AI use in coursework reflects an overall rise since 2020:

  • 2020: 61.4%
  • 2021: 67.1%
  • 2022: 66.7%
  • 2023: 71.6%
  • 2024: 74.4%

Students found AI tools to be most beneficial in the following areas:

  • Completing coursework faster (cited by 64% of respondents);
  • Increasing clarity in coursework (58%); and
  • Improving grades (47%).

The report also assessed the demand for AI-powered test-prep tools among students enrolled since 2023 to present, compared to respondents enrolled prior to 2023. Forty-eight percent of 2023-present students said that the AI tools were likely or extremely likely to improve their course experience, a 19% increase from pre-2023 respondents who said the same.

Still, questions about the cost and value of a higher education degree continue to plague students. A striking 82% of survey respondents reported moderate to extreme concern about the overall cost of higher education, with 51% saying they are extremely concerned. And just 34% of respondents rated the value of a college degree as "high."

"The value of a higher education degree is in question amongst college-aged individuals," said Michael Hale, chief learning officer at VitalSource, in a statement. "However, insights from the report show a clear path forward for institutions to better align the higher education experience with work environments by leveraging learning technologies and making it easier for students to access all the tools they need to thrive." 

The full report if available here on the VitalSource site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • computer with a red warning icon on its screen, surrounded by digital grids, glowing neural network patterns, and a holographic brain

    Report Highlights Security Risks of Open Source AI

    In these days of rampant ransomware and other cybersecurity exploits, security is paramount to both proprietary and open source AI approaches — and here the open source movement might be susceptible to some inherent drawbacks, such as use of possibly insecure code from unknown sources.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • a professional worker in business casual attire interacting with a large screen displaying a generative AI interface in a modern office

    Study: Generative AI Could Inhibit Critical Thinking

    A new study on how knowledge workers engage in critical thinking found that workers with higher confidence in generative AI technology tend to employ less critical thinking to AI-generated outputs than workers with higher confidence in personal skills.

  • university building with classical columns and a triangular roof displayed on a computer screen, surrounded by minimalist tech elements like circuit lines and abstract digital shapes

    Pima Community College Launches New Portal for a Unified Digital Campus Experience

    Arizona's Pima Community College is elevating the digital campus experience for students, faculty, and staff with a new portal built on the Pathify digital engagement platform.