Homework 'Worse Than Useless' as AI Use Surges Among Students

Homework is increasingly becoming counterproductive for skill development due to widespread use of artificial intelligence tools by students, according to a recent report. Polling of 2,000 parents revealed that 57% believe their children utilize AI such as ChatGPT and Grammarly to assist with their schoolwork.

This figure represents an increase from a similar poll ten months prior, where 47% of 6,000 parents reported the same. Both surveys are part of the Parent Voice Project report, titled 'How Parents Engage with Schools,' released today. The report indicates that AI use for homework varies regionally, with higher rates in London, and is more common among families with graduate parents.

The research, conducted by consultancy Public First in June 2025 and April 2026, highlights the rapid evolution of this issue. "The proportion of parents saying their child has used AI to help with homework has increased," the report states. "This shift suggests that AI use in homework is becoming increasingly more common, and that schools and parents are having to respond to a changing landscape in real time."

Parents shared anecdotal evidence of AI's role in their children's education. One father noted he allowed his son to use AI for challenging subjects like philosophy to ensure completion. Another parent discovered their daughter was using AI to directly generate answers from photos of homework. A third parent mentioned their son would slightly alter AI-generated text to avoid detection.

Concerns extend beyond homework. One mother described the challenge of encouraging children to use their own minds for schoolwork while workplaces advocate for AI proficiency. Fiona Forbes, founder of the Parent Voice Project, called the rise in AI use "staggering" and a "challenge" for the education system, urging collaboration between schools and parents on guidance.

These findings align with other recent surveys. A National Education Union poll of nearly 10,000 teachers found that 66% believed pupils' critical thinking skills had declined due to AI. Sir Ian Bauckham, chief regulator at Ofqual, recently stated that written coursework for major qualifications would face increased scrutiny because of the potential for "AI fraud."

Furthermore, a poll of 1,000 university students by the Higher Education Policy Institute found 95% admitted to using AI tools for assessments. Many students reported that AI use negatively impacted their skills and learning, with one student noting it was "making us all lazy."