A recent survey by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) found that 84% of American students use AI at least a few times a year, with two-thirds using it monthly. The percentage of students not using AI at all dropped sharply from 36% in 2024 to 6% in 2026, and nearly half (49%) use AI daily or weekly. Common uses include searching for information (55%), brainstorming (51%), and proofreading (31%).

Supporting these findings, the College Board reported an increase in high school students using generative AI tools for schoolwork from 79% in January 2025 to 84% in May 2025. Despite widespread AI adoption, nearly all students (94%) expressed confidence about their future after college, with 79% expecting to secure full-time employment before or within six months of graduation.

However, a Pew Research Center survey revealed that about one-third of workers (32%) believe AI will reduce their long-term job opportunities. While 36% feel hopeful about AI's future applications, 33% feel overwhelmed.

Richard Deitz, economic policy adviser at the New York Fed, told PYMNTS that "layoffs have been almost nonexistent due to AI use." A 2026 Federal Reserve analysis also found "no evidence of a reduction in job postings for industries or firms which have higher levels of AI adoption." Deitz emphasized, "The purpose of your job, and the tasks and tools that you use to do your job, are related, not the same," and noted, "You're not going to lose your job to an AI, but you're going to lose your job to someone who uses AI."

These insights suggest that while AI use is becoming normalized among American students, concerns about its impact on employment persist among workers.

Sources

  • Reason
  • National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)
  • College Board
  • Pew Research Center
  • New York Fed
  • Federal Reserve
  • PYMNTS