Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Young People Trust AI More Than Humans For Fact-Checking
A large study asked young people in England how they use artificial intelligence.
Most said they already use AI tools.
Nearly half said they would trust AI more than a person to check whether something is true.
Many secondary school students use AI for homework or to understand difficult topics.
Some young people think school is becoming less important because of AI.
Very few believe their schools are preparing them well for a future with the technology.
The report says schools should teach students how to use AI safely and wisely.
It recommends creating an education department team and special AI champion schools.
The report argues that ignoring AI could make schools feel less useful to students.
A survey of more than 4,000 people aged 11 to 24 in England found that 47% would trust AI over a human to verify facts.
Nearly 87% of respondents already use AI tools, while 63% of secondary pupils use AI for homework.
Among respondents, 42% said AI has made school education less important, and fewer than 10% felt adequately prepared for an AI-shaped future.
A report co-authored by Sir Anthony Seldon and Tim Bunting says education is failing to keep pace with students’ AI use.
The report recommends a Department for Education AI response unit and a network of 100 AI champion schools and colleges.
- Who
- More than 4,000 people aged 11 to 24 in England, along with report co-authors Sir Anthony Seldon and Tim Bunting.
- What
- A study found high AI use among young people and growing trust in AI for fact-checking, while a related report called for major education reforms.
- When
- The findings were reported in a newly released landmark study; no specific publication date is provided.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- The report says schools and universities have not kept pace with young people’s use of AI and are not adequately preparing them for the future.
Stronger AI Reform
Existing Government Measures
How schools should respond
Stronger AI Reform
The report argues that schools and universities must rapidly adapt, provide trusted guidance and stop treating AI as a temporary problem to be excluded.
Existing Government Measures
The government has announced technical courses connected to AI and local industries, but the report says these measures are insufficient.
Government responsibility
Stronger AI Reform
The report describes the arrival of AI in schools as a major failure of government responsibility and calls for a dedicated Department for Education response unit.
Existing Government Measures
Government plans indicate an effort to respond through changes to the national curriculum and AI-linked technical education.
- Survey size
- More than 4,000 people aged 11 to 24
- AI use
- Nearly 87% already use AI tools
- Fact-checking trust
- 47% would trust AI over a human
- Homework use
- 63% of secondary school pupils use AI for homework
- Difficult topics
- 77% of secondary pupils use AI to understand challenging subjects
- Perceived education value
- 42% said AI has made school education less important
- Recommended response
- A 10-point plan, including an AI rapid response unit and 100 AI champion schools and colleges