A California State University (CSU) study of nearly 100,000 faculty, staff, and students found widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education but raised concerns about ethics and oversight.
In its survey of all 22 campuses, CSU found AI embedded across campus life, with more than half of students, 60% of faculty, and about two-thirds of staff regularly using the tools. In a statement, CSU said, “the question is no longer whether AI belongs in higher education, but how institutions should lead its use thoughtfully, consistently, and at scale.”
CSU Chancellor Mildred García said the university launched the study “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.”
García said the study helps set a national benchmark for making data-informed decisions about AI in higher education. David Goldberg, associate professor of management information systems and a lead researcher on the survey, added, “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.”
CSU said that its survey of more than 94,000 respondents – primarily undergraduate students, along with thousands of faculty and staff – examined awareness, use, attitudes, training, and expectations around AI.
While AI use is high, the demand for training is higher. More than 80% of staff and about 70% of faculty want formal instruction, along with roughly half of students, led by 53% of first-generation students.
At the same time, ethical and economic concerns persist. About 80% of students say they are not comfortable submitting AI-generated work as their own, and while large majorities see AI as essential to future jobs – 82% of staff, 78% of faculty, and 69% of students – most worry about its impact on job security.
Most faculty respondents (97%), along with 94% of staff and 88% of students, say it i‘s necessary to verify the accuracy of AI-generated content.
Ed Clark, chief information officer for the CSU, said that the widespread engagement with AI calls for increased partnerships to prepare for an AI-driven future. “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,” Clark said.