88% of Students Use AI, Only 29% Trust Teacher Guidance

According to the Digital Education Council's 2026 global survey, 88% of college students and 77% of faculty now use AI in learning or teaching, up 16 percentage points from 2025. However, 57% of students report inadequate AI guidance in assessments, and only 29% believe instructors are well-equipped to guide them. AI adoption is outpacing educational system adaptation, creating a learning gap. Nearly 90% of Harvard undergraduates use AI for coursework, with about a quarter admitting to using it instead of assigned reading.