Students seek personalized AI tools despite growing ed-tech skepticism

A growing skepticism toward artificial intelligence in education is emerging as Gen Z excitement for the technology dropped 14 percentage points in a single year, according to a Gallup and Walton Family Foundation survey. This shift coincides with an ed-tech backlash where schools are implementing “tech-free” days and parents express concerns regarding screen time and its impact on students' social and emotional development.

Despite this broader skepticism, the 2026 How America Learns report from Quizlet suggests that students still value specific AI-driven benefits, particularly personalized learning. The report, which surveyed over 2,000 U.S. respondents including students, teachers, and parents, found that 98% of students believe study tools should adapt to their individual learning progress. Additionally, 71% of teachers surveyed agreed that AI can be effective in supporting customized learning methods.