Empantallados Study I Educating in the age of AI

Educating in the age of AI: Main conclusions of the study by Empantallados and GAD3

On 26 March, the study ‘Educating in the age of AI’, carried out by Empantallados together with GAD3, was presented at the Torre de Cristal, KPMG’s headquarters in Madrid. The event was a meeting point for professionals, where Narciso Michavila, president of GAD3, presented the main key points of the study.

For 9 out of 10 teenagers the role of the teacher is still key

87% of teenagers consider interaction with their teachers fundamental to their education, while only 10% believe that Artificial Intelligence could replace them. However, more than half of the students see AI as a useful complement to learning, which shows that its integration in the classroom is perceived as a support tool and not as a total substitute for traditional teaching.

Concerns about the impact of AI on education

Despite its growing presence, six out of ten students and teachers agree that there is a lack of training on the appropriate use of AI in schools. In addition, 60% of teachers fear that the technology will affect students’ ability to work hard and lead to over-dependence. From the students’ perspective, 54% consider that some school work has lost its usefulness due to the existence of AI, suggesting the need to rethink certain assessment and teaching methods.

85% of teenagers use AI on a weekly basis

The study also reveals that 85% of teenagers use AI at least once a week and 81% perceive it as a ‘co-pilot’ that enhances their tasks, but not as a total substitute. For 70% of young people, this technology is transforming the way they study and, although it is a valuable tool, three in ten admit to using it ‘on the sly’, reflecting a certain lack of clarity about its limits and regulations in the educational environment.

8 out of 10 teenagers use AI as an information source

Among the most common uses of AI by teenagers, 80% use it to search for information and 68% use it to structure school work. In addition, one in three use it to talk about personal issues or make important decisions, showing that its impact goes beyond academia and extends into young people’s everyday lives.

Limits and control of AI

In terms of restrictions, 70% of teachers set limits on the use of AI in class, compared to 40% of parents at home. However, six out of ten teenagers have ignored the restrictions imposed by their parents and teachers, which raises the challenge of educating in the responsible use of this technology to avoid abuse or over-reliance.

The skills most needed in the age of AI

In this context, the study highlights that the most valued human skills in the digital age are adapting to change, creativity and critical thinking. As AI is integrated into the education system and into young people’s lives, the challenge remains to learn how to use it in a responsible and balanced way, without losing sight of the irreplaceable value of these skills in learning and personal development.