Majority of UK Pupils May Use AI for Schoolwork and Struggle to Spot Misinformation, OUP Survey Suggests

• 80% of UK pupils use AI for schoolwork

• About one third of students struggle to distinguish AI-generated content from verified information.

• OUP data, school leader testimony and Department for Education guidance converge on the need for classroom training and teacher support.

UK pupils use AI: OUP finds 80% use AI for schoolwork but many struggle to spot misinformation. COINOTAG reports expert quotes, stats and teacher guidance.

Published: 2025-10-15. Updated: 2025-10-15. By COINOTAG

What is the scale of UK pupils’ AI use for schoolwork?

UK pupils use AI extensively: an Oxford University Press (OUP) survey of more than 2,000 pupils aged 13–18 found that 80% say they regularly use AI for homework, revision or study support. The survey further reports that only 18% said they do not use AI at all.

How well can UK students spot AI misinformation?

Data from OUP shows that roughly one third of respondents said they could not distinguish AI-generated content from accurate information, while another 20% were unsure. School leaders such as Dan Williams, assistant head teacher and AI lead at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, report widespread reliance on AI — from personal tutoring to copy-paste use — and note limitations in students’ ability to verify outputs. The Department for Education has published resources and Oxford University Press has launched an AI and Education Hub to help teachers develop classroom strategies and digital literacy lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does AI use affect UK teenagers’ study skills and creativity long-term?

Evidence from the OUP survey indicates mixed effects: 90% of students report benefits such as improved problem-solving and creative writing skills, yet teachers observe dependency risks when students lack the experience to verify information. Professional training for teachers is highlighted as a priority to balance benefits and harms.

Can students tell when AI is giving wrong information?

Many cannot reliably spot errors. OUP findings show a significant share of pupils struggle to identify AI misinformation; school leaders and researchers recommend explicit digital verification exercises and curriculum-integrated critical thinking tasks to improve discernment.

Key Takeaways

• Widespread adoption: 80% of surveyed 13–18-year-olds report regular AI use for schoolwork, per Oxford University Press data.
• Verification gap: Approximately one third of students cannot reliably identify AI-generated misinformation, creating a clear need for classroom verification skills.
• Action for schools: Invest in teacher training, use Department for Education resources, and deploy OUP’s AI and Education Hub materials to integrate safe, effective AI use into lessons.

Conclusion

COINOTAG’s report shows that UK pupils use AI widely and derive measurable benefits in creativity and problem solving, but a substantial verification gap remains. Authorities including Oxford University Press and the Department for Education recommend practical teacher support and curriculum tools to close that gap. Schools and parents should prioritize digital literacy training while monitoring outcomes and updating policies as classroom use evolves.

Sources referenced (plain text): Oxford University Press survey; The Guardian reporting; Department for Education guidance; testimony from Dan Williams, assistant head teacher at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School; OUP AI and Education Hub materials.