Majority of U.S. Adults Say AI is More Harmful Than Helpful in K-12 Schools

New poll reveals 53% of Americans believe AI harms education, while 44% say schools using it better prepare students for the future.

Editorial Desk

September 17, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — A recent survey shows that more than half of U.S. adults believe artificial intelligence is doing more harm than good in K-12 education, with 53% expressing this view compared to 27% who think it brings more benefits.

The findings mirror similar concerns about AI’s role in higher education, where 54% of respondents said it does more harm than good, while 24% believed it has more positive effects. The debate over AI integration in classrooms continues to grow as school districts and educators grapple with its implications.

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When asked about which approach better prepares students for the future, 44% of respondents said schools that use AI tools in class are more beneficial, though this represents a drop from 53% in June 2025. Meanwhile, 56% believe schools that ban AI are better at preparing students, an increase of 9 points since the previous survey. While some see AI as a useful tool for tasks like proofreading and research, a significant portion of adults remain skeptical about its value in academic settings.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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Editorial Desk

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