CSU Shares AI Learnings in Systemwide Survey

• By Rhea Kelly
• 04/06/26

In a systemwide survey of more than 94,000 faculty, staff, and students, California State University recently documented widespread AI use across its 22 campuses. Ninety-five percent of respondents said they have used at least one generative AI tool, with more than half of students, six in 10 faculty, and nearly two-thirds of staff reporting regular use of the technology. For its report, "Ahead of the Curve: What the Nation's Largest Public University System is Learning about AI," the institution polled roughly 80,000 students, 6,000-plus faculty, and 7,300-plus staff about their experiences with and attitudes toward artificial intelligence, calling the research the largest and most comprehensive survey on generative AI in higher education.

CSU launched a systemwide AI strategy in February 2025, which included a large rollout of ChatGPT Edu, an AI Commons serving as a hub of free AI tools, training programs, certifications, and CSU-developed solutions for all students, faculty, and staff, support for AI innovation, AI workforce training, and more. The survey represents lessons learned from the initiative.

"We launched the largest AI initiative in higher education last year to ensure that this extraordinary technology equitably expands opportunity for CSU students, bolsters faculty and staff excellence, strengthens the California workforce, and is implemented in a manner that reflects the CSU's core values," said CSU Chancellor Mildred García, in a statement. "Data must inform and guide our decision-making moving forward, and this survey — given its size — sets not just a CSU benchmark, but a national one. And it marks an exciting moment for the CSU, one that demonstrates our commitment to student success by boldly and thoughtfully leading through innovation."

Key findings include:

• The typical survey respondent uses three AI tools. ChatGPT is the most used across the university system, cited by 87% of faculty, 89% of staff, and 84% of students. About 30% of students and faculty and nearly 40% of staff use ChatGPT daily or more.
• The majority of faculty, staff, and students use AI both at work or school and in their personal lives.
• 80% of students said they are not comfortable submitting AI-generated work as their own.
• 55% of faculty said they use AI to help develop course materials.
• 69% of faculty provide students with specific guidance on how to use AI effectively and responsibly, and more than two-thirds include an explicit AI statement in their syllabi.
• 97% of faculty, 94% of staff, and 88% of students agreed that it's necessary to verify the accuracy of AI-generated content.
• 78% of faculty, 82% of staff, and 69% of students believe AI will become an essential career skill.
• Seven in 10 faculty, more than eight in 10 staff, and about half of students expressed interest in formal AI training.

The findings suggest "the question is no longer whether AI belongs in higher education, but how institutions should lead its use thoughtfully, consistently and at scale," the university said.

"The survey results reflect what we are seeing across our universities – widespread engagement with AI tools and technologies," commented CSU CIO Ed Clark. "As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded into every academic field and every industry, it is important for us to partner with our faculty, students, employers, industry sector leaders, and state and local government officials to better prepare our students and our community for this AI-infused environment."

"This survey captures a moment of transition in higher education, where both students and faculty are actively assessing how AI fits into teaching and learning," said David Goldberg, San Diego State University AI Faculty Fellow, associate professor of management information systems, and a lead researcher on the survey. "The data gives us a powerful foundation to better support faculty by tailoring training to real needs, bringing more consistency to AI use in the classroom, and ensuring that its use strengthens learning outcomes. It also offers a roadmap for institutions nationwide to better understand AI's role and to implement it thoughtfully, consistently, and responsibly."

The full report is available here on the CSU site.