Cal State students widely embrace AI tools, but mistrust results and fear job impact

by Kate Rix, EdSource April 4, 2026April 1, 2026

Professor Panos Ipeirotis speaks with an oral AI agent during his class at NYU Stern School of Business, March 4, 2026, in New York. Nationwide, university faculty struggle to reconcile the learning benefits and risks of artificial intelligence. Educators want a say in how and which AI tools are used. Students across the California State University system want to be included in those discussions. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Nearly every student in the California State University system has used artificial intelligence tools, but most don’t trust the results, are worried about how AI will affect their future job security and want more say in systemwide AI policy.

That’s according to results of a 2025 survey of more than 80,000 students enrolled at CSU’s 22 campuses, plus faculty and staff — the largest and most comprehensive study of how higher education students and instructors perceive artificial intelligence.

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