Learners and educators are AI’s new “super users”

Learners and Educators: The New "Super Users" of AI

For the past three years, we've conducted the "Our Life with AI" study with Ipsos to measure how people around the world use AI. Our most recent survey found something fascinating: for the first time, the top motivation for using AI is learning. This shift in behavior is a significant development, as it highlights the growing importance of AI in education and its potential to transform the way we learn.

The Survey Reveals a New Era of AI Adoption

Conducted late last year across 21 countries and 21,000 participants, our survey reveals two firsts: that the majority of people in nearly every country surveyed say they use AI chatbots, and that their motivation for using AI changed from curiosity to core utility. Before this year, the top motivation for using AI was entertainment, but now 74% of users report using it to "learn something new" or "understand a complex topic." This shift in motivation is a testament to the growing recognition of AI's potential to support learning and education.

Students, Teachers, and Parents: The New "Super Users" of AI

Our survey found that 85% of students 18+ are using AI, with 83% using it to help with schoolwork and 78% to understand complex topics. Teachers are also using AI, with 81% reporting that they use AI tools, far surpassing the global average of 66%. Some of the top uses for AI among teachers include learning something new or understanding a complex topic (77% of teacher users) and saving time (75%). Parents are also using AI, with 76% reporting that they use AI, especially to learn something new (77%) or to assist with work (73%).

The Positive Impact of AI on Education

Rather than fearing cognitive decline, teachers, students (18+), and parents believe AI is having a positive impact on how we learn. A majority of teachers also believe AI will improve teaching quality (67%) and student outcomes (63%). This positive attitude towards AI is not limited to the United States, Canada, and Europe. In emerging markets, people believe AI is more likely to improve student outcomes by supporting personalized learning (63%) than worsen student outcomes by eroding critical thinking (37%). In South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, attitudes are equally positive about AI's role in education (63% improve, 37% worsen).

Google's Tools: Transforming Learning with AI

AI is changing how we learn, but the situation is complex. With increasing usage, it's more important than ever that we continue to build AI tools with appropriate guardrails. Our "North Star" for AI in education is to improve learning outcomes for everyone and help teachers focus on teaching, so they can maintain the human connection at the heart of learning. Our tools like Gemini's Guided Learning Mode, Gemini for Education, Google AI Pro for Education, and NotebookLM are helping transform learning by supporting personalized instruction and easing administrative burdens.

The "5% Problem": Ensuring AI Benefits Reach Everyone

According to the survey, the public expects tech companies and governments to work together to ensure these tools serve the public interest. We are mindful of the "5% problem": the risk that these benefits only reach the most privileged or those most motivated to learn. To address this issue, we need to ensure that our AI tools are accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of their background or ability.

Conclusion

The "Our Life with AI" survey reveals a significant shift in behavior, as the top motivation for using AI is now learning. This shift highlights the growing importance of AI in education and its potential to transform the way we learn. As we continue to develop and use AI tools, it's essential that we prioritize accessibility, usability, and equity to ensure that everyone can benefit from these technologies. By working together, we can create a future where AI supports learning and education for everyone, regardless of their background or ability.

Source: https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/education/our-life-with-ai-2025/