Japan surveys reveal AI usage gap among students

Recent surveys conducted by SHIFT AI and Duolingo highlight the growing influence of generative AI and digital tools in the education of elementary and junior high school students in Japan.

A SHIFT AI study of 722 parents revealed a significant “AI gap” based on household environments. Children of parents who use AI several times a month are five times more likely to use generative AI (56.3%) compared to children of non-users (10.8%). While approximately 40% of elementary students use AI, many parents feel unequipped to guide them, with only 12.3% expressing confidence in teaching AI usage. Concerns regarding AI dependency and academic integrity, such as copying answers, were prominent.

Complementing this, a Duolingo survey of 825 parents found that 47.1% of children already use generative AI for their studies. While over 80% of parents prioritize autonomous learning beyond standard school homework, they struggle with helping children establish consistent study habits. The data suggests that families who engage in “co-learning”—such as setting goals or choosing materials together—see better academic engagement than those who merely prompt children to study.