A new report from New Zealand's Education Review Office shows artificial intelligence has become part of daily school life. The report, called Ready or Not, looked at how schools are handling the rise of AI tools like chatbots and writing assistants.
Researchers found that more than 90% of school principals and over 80% of teachers now use AI regularly. Most use it for tasks like writing messages or summarizing information rather than teaching directly.
Teachers also use AI to build lesson plans and adjust materials for different students. The report described AI as a tool meant to support teachers, not replace their judgment.
Concerns Over Critical Thinking
Despite the widespread use, teachers are worried. More than half, 57%, said AI has had a negative effect on students' ability to think critically.
That concern was even higher among secondary school teachers, with 72% reporting the same worry. Students themselves noticed the problem too.
"It gives you the answer, but you don't do any thinking for yourself," one student told researchers. Another student said AI can become "addictive" once you start relying on it.
Some teachers have chosen not to use AI at all. The report called this group "conscientious objectors," saying they worry about the example it sets and its effect on creativity.
The report found that 40% of secondary students admitted to misusing AI for schoolwork at some point. However, far fewer, under 20%, said they used it specifically to cheat on tests or assessments.
Just 14% of students overall said they knowingly used AI in ways they shouldn't for tests. About 72% said they never had, while 14% were unsure if their use counted as inappropriate.
Very few students got caught. Only 5% of secondary students and 7% of primary students said a teacher had caught them misusing AI.
Calls for a National Framework
ERO chief executive David Ferguson said he was surprised by how quickly AI use had spread across schools. He called it one of the biggest changes in education in recent years.
Ferguson said the review did not find a gap in AI use between schools based on wealth or location. He said AI use appeared widespread everywhere.
The report recommended the Ministry of Education create a national framework for AI in schools. This would give teachers and students consistent rules instead of each school deciding on its own.
Right now, most schools operate without clear guidance. The report found 73% of teachers had not seen the ministry's existing high-level guidance on AI.
Westlake Girls' High School's Susana Tomaz said data privacy is a growing concern. She noted only seven in ten school leaders have an AI privacy policy in place.
Tomaz said three in four schools remain in what the report calls an "unplanned category" for AI use. She said this creates risks for student safety and privacy.
She added that teachers need training to help guide students on using AI responsibly. Without that support, she said students should be given the benefit of the doubt if they misuse the tools.
The report was based on surveys of 1,587 students, 859 teachers, 472 school leaders, and 889 parents. Researchers also visited eight schools and held focus groups as part of the study.
The report did not recommend creating a separate AI subject for senior students. Instead, it suggested folding AI lessons into existing subjects across the curriculum.
