University students in New Jersey are embracing artificial intelligence at rates similar to their peers nationwide, but instructors in the state are more likely than elsewhere to discourage its use, a recent study showed.
Here’s the bigger note: The same survey showed AI use in the workplace these students are entering is becoming more prevalent.
The Rutgers‑led survey, released Thursday, finds that 45% of New Jersey students report frequent use of AI for schoolwork, while 34% of instructors discourage it — compared with just 24% nationally.
This may be the issue: Nearly two‑thirds of students (65%) admit to using AI in ways that could be considered cheating.
“AI has become a routine part of schoolwork for many students in New Jersey, with almost half reporting frequent use,” Katherine Ognyanova, an associate professor at Rutgers and coauthor of the study, said. “Yet instructors in the state are more likely to discourage AI use compared to educators nationally.
“There is clearly a mismatch between classroom guidelines and student behavior. Perhaps as a result, nearly two‑thirds of students admit to using AI in ways that could be considered cheating.”
The Rutgers report shows that AI has quickly become part of everyday life in New Jersey.
- 74% of residents say they have used at least one AI tool, compared with 68% nationally.
- 81% of residents have heard of ChatGPT, and 57% have tried it at least once, both higher than national averages.
Perhaps not surprising, younger adults are the most active users: 92% of those ages 18–24 report using AI, compared with 54% of those 65 and older.
And AI clearly is reshaping the workplace, regardless of age.
More than a quarter of employed New Jersey adults say their jobs now require AI tools, a figure that rises to 44% among graduate‑degree holders. Weekly use is common: 41% of employed residents report using AI at work at least once a week.
Despite widespread adoption, New Jerseyans remain cautious about AI’s broader impact. The study indicated great concern and calls for regulation.
- 57% believe AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates.
- 59% favor strict regulation of AI because of potential risks.
- 85% support transparency policies, such as requiring companies to disclose when users are interacting with AI rather than a human.
- Strong opposition exists to using AI for high‑stakes decisions, with fewer than 10% supporting its use in areas like loans, parole, medical priority, or college admissions.
“While residents of New Jersey are embracing AI tools at high rates, there is a strong support for AI regulation and guardrails,” Ognyanova said. “Transparency is particularly important: over four in five respondents support labeling AI‑generated content.”
We’re guessing students aren’t in favor of that — at least when it comes to turn in assignments.
