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CSU's Comprehensive AI Survey in Higher Education

On April 2, 2026, California State University (CSU) unveiled the results of its inaugural artificial intelligence (AI) survey, marking a significant milestone as the largest and most comprehensive inquiry into generative AI in the higher education sector. This sweeping study gathered responses from over 94,000 faculty, staff, and students, aiming to dissect the intricate relationship between higher education and AI—one that holds promising potential yet poses numerous complexities.

The report entitled "Ahead of the Curve: What the Nation's Largest Public University System is Learning about AI" arrives at a crucial time when colleges nationwide strive to balance the need to equip students for AI-driven workplaces while upholding academic honesty, critical thinking, and public trust.

CSU President Mildred García emphasized, "Last year, we launched a robust AI initiative within higher education to ensure that this extraordinary technology expands opportunities equitably for CSU students, supports faculty in their pursuit of excellence, bolsters California's workforce, and embodies CSU's core values throughout its implementation. Our future decisions must be informed by data. This survey not only sets a benchmark for CSU but also establishes a paradigm for universities nationwide. It’s an exciting moment for CSU as we showcase our commitment to student success through bold yet cautious leadership in innovation."

CSU's Chief Information Officer Ed Clark pointed out that the survey results reflect a widespread adoption of AI tools and technologies across campuses. "As AI continues to permeate various academic disciplines and industries, we must collaborate with faculty, students, employers, industry leaders, and government officials to enhance our students' and communities' proficiency in this omnipresent AI environment."

The AI survey, crafted by researchers from San Diego State University, was conducted in the fall of 2025, inviting more than 470,000 students and over 61,000 faculty and staff to participate. The investigation focused on five core areas: awareness and understanding of AI, experiences and usage of AI, perceptions and attitudes towards AI, education and training related to AI skills, and outlook on the future of AI.

Among the more than 94,000 respondents, students comprised over 80,000 of the total (85% being undergraduates), with faculty numbering over 6,000 and staff exceeding 7,300.

David Goldberg, an associate professor in management information systems and the chief researcher of the survey at SDSU, remarked, "This study captures a pivotal transformation occurring in higher education, as both students and faculty are actively considering how to integrate AI into teaching and learning. The data provides us with a solid foundation to develop training programs that address real needs, leading to a more consistent application of AI in classrooms and ensuring it enhances learning outcomes effectively while supporting faculty. Moreover, it serves as a blueprint for colleges nationwide to better understand AI's role and responsibly implement it in a thoughtful and cohesive manner."

Key Findings

The survey's key findings demonstrate a high level of awareness of AI across CSU's 22 campuses, with the majority of students and faculty actively utilizing AI. However, the results also stress that the proliferation of AI is not without concerns. Despite the high usage rates, respondents expressed reservations about the accuracy of AI outputs and emphasized the need for content verification.

Moreover, nearly all respondents unanimously demanded clarity and transparency in AI use, alongside moral considerations and responsible oversight.

Here are some notable insights from the survey:

1. Widespread Adoption of AI
Over half of students, 60% of faculty, and two-thirds of staff regularly utilize AI-driven tools, with 95% of respondents having used at least one of the 21 AI tools listed in the survey.

2. Training Needs Identified
There is a significant demand for training, especially among students who express a strong desire for formal AI training. Over 80% of staff and around 70% of faculty indicated a need for such training, while half of the students expressed similar wishes; notably, first-generation students showed higher interest at 53% compared to 45% of non-first-generation students.

3. Emerging Ethical Guidelines
About 80% of student respondents felt uncomfortable submitting AI-generated assignments as their original work. The majority of faculty and students recognized the necessity of verifying the accuracy of AI-generated content.

4. Active Integration in Curriculum
More than half of faculty respondents leverage AI in crafting course materials, and 69% guide students in effectively using AI tools. Additionally, two-thirds include explicit AI use statements in their syllabi.

5. Cautious Acceptance of AI
Respondents widely regard the role of AI as inevitable but express concerns regarding job security. About 82% of staff, 78% of faculty, and 69% of students believe AI will become indispensable in most professional fields, while similar percentages expressed worry about its impact on job security.

For full access to the report, click here.

In February 2025, CSU implemented a comprehensive AI strategy across its 22 campuses, ensuring that all CSU students and faculty can access AI tools and resources free of charge while helping students navigate the rapidly changing AI-integrated workforce. Since the launch of the CSU AI Commons platform, over 4,300 faculty members have voluntarily completed training on the ethical and effective use of AI, focusing on equity, critical thinking, and academic integrity.

About California State University

California State University is the largest four-year public university system in the United States, providing opportunities for upward mobility to over 470,000 students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, with over a quarter of undergraduates being first-generation college students. CSU's 22 campuses deliver high-quality education at an affordable cost, making it a top choice for enhancing social mobility, as reflected in national rankings from U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, and Washington Monthly. Each year, CSU produces over 123,000 graduates equipped with practical skills, representing one in every 20 college graduates across the nation. Visit the CSU newsroom to connect with CSU and learn more.