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A new national poll shows that most American adults believe artificial intelligence causes more harm than good in schools. The survey, conducted by the NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey, also found that growing numbers of Americans now prefer schools that ban AI over those that embrace it.
Americans Skeptical of AI in Education
The poll found that 53% of adults think AI does more harm than good in K-12 education. Only 27% said they believe AI does more good than harm at that level. Sentiment toward higher education was similar. Some 54% said AI does more harm than good in colleges and universities, while just 24% said it benefits students in higher education.
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The shift in opinion on AI-integrated schools is also notable. In June 2025, 53% of respondents said schools that integrate AI would better prepare students for the future. That figure has since dropped by 9 percentage points, falling to 44% in the latest survey. Meanwhile, 56% now say schools that prohibit AI use will better prepare students — up 9 points from June 2025.
What AI Uses Do Americans Consider Acceptable?
Respondents held mixed views on how students should be allowed to use AI for schoolwork. Proofreading and editing earned the most acceptance, with 49% of adults saying that use was appropriate. Research assistance and brainstorming came next, with 41% finding that acceptable. Some 38% said using AI to organize or outline ideas was also reasonable.
However, a significant share of Americans drew a firm line. About 31% said no AI use at all was acceptable for school assignments. Only 7% said it was acceptable for AI to write content or generate text on a student’s behalf.
School Districts and Officials Respond
The debate over AI in classrooms continues to intensify across the country. Parents and education advocates have raised concerns that AI use is stunting students’ academic and intellectual growth. As a result, some school districts have already moved to restrict the technology. New York City announced this month that AI use for students will be limited until high school, with only narrow exceptions permitted even then.
First Lady Melania Trump also weighed in on the issue this week. Speaking to NBC News on Tuesday, she said she believes students need direct, hands-on experience with AI. “This is our future, and we need to guide them and teach them what is available,” she said. “If not, they will stay behind, and we need to be the first, in the United States, to lead.” She added, however, that students also “need to be vigilant.”
The NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey surveyed 7,105 adults online between August 20 and September 1. The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.
