Unveiling AI's Role in Today's Student's Life: A Sneak Peek
Over a fifth of students rely on artificial intelligence for daily tasks. - Daily Use of Artificial Intelligence by a Quarter of Students, Finds Survey
AI has stealthily woven its way into the daily routines of a substantial portion of students, especially those in tech-centric fields such as Mechatronics. An astounding 75% of these tech whizzes employ AI on a regular basis, contrary to the half of Civil and Environmental Engineering students who manage to squeeze in AI weekly activities.
The application of AI ranges from general research and translation to other intriguing areas. A whopping 60% of Mechatronics students delve into AI for research at least once a week, while it's a paltry third for German Studies enthusiasts.
"Artificial Intelligence as a ghostwriter in text creation or literature research remains a marginal player among the student community," according to study author Marc Hüsch from the CHE. Interestingly, one-third of students have never tapped into AI for text production during their academic journey.
Overall, students seem to feel underwhelmed by the AI-related opportunities available at universities. On average, they rate the current offerings a modest 2.7 out of 5 stars.
Hüsch urges universities to level the playing field by providing comprehensive resources for students to develop their AI competencies, enabling them to harness the full potential of AI application. A staggering 23,288 students across German and Austrian universities were consulted for this survey in the winter semester 2024/2025.
- Artificial Intelligence
- Students
- Survey
- CHE
- Gütersloh
- Center for University Development
Behind the Scenes
While specific data on the current satisfaction levels of German and Austrian students regarding AI in education is limited, it is possible to draw some inferences based on broader trends.
The AI Education Boom
- Germany: The country is witnessed a surge in AI-centric academic programs, such as the ones offered by renowned universities like the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and RWTH Aachen University[3].
- Austria: Universities like TU Wien also invest in AI education, as evidenced by events like the Summer School on AI and Cybersecurity[1].
Europe's AI Push
Europe saw a considerable rise in AI investment, with AI startups across the continent receiving around 55% more investment in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year[2].
The Future: Bigger and Brighter
The future of AI education in both regions looks promising, with continuous endeavors to enhance AI skills acquisition. Projects such as the ELLIS workshop on Machine Learning and Computer Vision demonstrate a persistent commitment to advancing AI education and research[5].
To gain a more accurate picture of student satisfaction levels, surveys or studies focusing specifically on this matter are required. However, the growing emphasis on AI education, coupled with broader societal investment in AI technology, hints at a rising interest in AI-related academic pursuits.
Artificial Intelligence could be increasingly utilized in vocational training programs, such as vocational training in Mechatronics, to help students stay current with technology and artificial-intelligence advancements. The Center for University Development in Guetersloh could consider offering more education and self-development opportunities focused on AI to meet the growing demand and increasing interest among students.
More exploration into the role of AI in education and its impact on student satisfaction levels is essential for accurately assessing the current state of AI in universities across Germany and Austria. With Europe's continued AI push, investments in AI startups, and initiatives like the ELLIS workshop on Machine Learning and Computer Vision, there appears to be a promising future for AI education and its integration into various vocational training programs.
