56%
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university students who use generative AI to understand a concept or subject, the most common use in 2025; research 52%
What the chart shows
Understanding a concept or subject is the most common use of generative AI among university students in Chegg’s 2025 survey, at 56%. Researching for assignments and projects (52%) and generating initial ideas or first drafts (46%) follow, then writing or editing essays (41%).
Fewer students use it to prepare for exams (36%), check homework (33%) or get step-by-step homework help (29%). Only 1% chose none of the listed uses.
Key numbers
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Understanding a concept or subject | 56% |
| Researching for assignments and projects | 52% |
| Generating initial ideas or first drafts | 46% |
| Writing or editing assignments and essays | 41% |
| Step-by-step homework help | 29% |
How to read it
- Chegg Global Student Survey 2025 of university students in 15 countries, in whole percentages. Students could choose several uses, so shares add up to more than 100%.
- The AI Index notes that university students are more likely than US high school students to use AI to understand a concept (56% against 41% in a separate College Board survey); the two surveys ask different questions.
Source: Chegg Global Student Survey, 2025, via the AI Index Report 2026 (Stanford HAI), figure 7.2.17: University students’ GenAI uses for schoolwork, 2025. Chart and text by AI Adoption.
Numbers checked against the published data on 20 October 2026.
Download the data (CSV) · Cite this chart
Numbers checked against the published data on 20 October 2026.
Download the data (CSV) · Cite this chart
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