National ChatGPT Survey: Teachers Accepting AI Into Classrooms & Workflow — Even More Than Students
Receive stories like these directly to your email inbox. Subscribe to Newsletter.
Teacher and parent attitudes towards ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot that was introduced in late 2022, are undergoing a slight shift, according to recent findings from Impact Research, a polling firm.
The survey, commissioned by the Walton Family Foundation, is part of an ongoing effort to track attitudes regarding STEM education and the incorporation of AI tools like ChatGPT in K-12 education. Researchers have observed that Americans, particularly teachers, are beginning to recognize the potential of using ChatGPT and believe it is already beneficial for student learning.
These latest findings coincide with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, to determine if personal reputations and data were put at risk. The FTC has cautioned that consumer protection laws apply to AI, while the Biden administration and Congress are advocating for new regulations in the field.
OpenAI is currently facing multiple lawsuits filed by authors, including comedian Sarah Silverman, who claim that the technology "ingested" their work without consent and violated their copyrighted books. Each lawsuit is seeking nearly $1 billion in damages.
The survey involved 1,000 K-12 teachers, 1,002 students aged 12-18, 802 voters, and 916 parents. Conducted by Impact Research from June 23 to July 6, the margin of error is approximately 3 percentage points for teacher and student responses, 3.5 percentage points for voter responses, and 3.2 for parent responses.
Here are the key findings:
1. High awareness of ChatGPT
After approximately seven months since its public debut, ChatGPT is widely recognized. According to the survey, 80% of registered voters, 71% of parents, and 73% of teachers are familiar with it. Among students, the recognition is slightly lower at 67%.
2. Positive perception of ChatGPT
Contrary to the negative portrayal of AI taking over the world, many people have a favorable view of ChatGPT. Surprisingly, parents now have a more positive perception than teachers: 61% of parents compared to 58% of teachers and 54% of students.
3. Usage among students and teachers
While only a fraction of students report using ChatGPT (previously 33%, now rising to 42%), a significant number of teachers admit to using it. 63% of teachers have used the chatbot, up from 50% in the previous survey. 40% of teachers now report using it at least once a week.
4. Belief in the legitimacy of ChatGPT
Teachers who use ChatGPT generally have a positive opinion of it. 84% state that it has had a positive impact on their classes, and 61% believe it will have legitimate educational uses that should not be ignored. Among parents, 64% believe that teachers and schools should allow the use of ChatGPT for schoolwork, with 28% even encouraging its use.
5. Diverse uses beyond cheating
Although ChatGPT has been associated with aiding academic dishonesty, fewer teachers (23%) now believe that cheating will be its sole purpose compared to the previous survey (24%).
Disclosure: receives financial support from the Walton Family Foundation.
Receive stories like these directly to your email inbox. Subscribe to Newsletter.
