The Unexpected Gap in AI Skills
Imagine: A hiring manager is interviewing a promising Gen Z candidate for an entry-level position. This student relied heavily on AI to write his essays in college. The candidate will demonstrate familiarity with the effective use of AI tools, which is critical to the role. However, when the manager asks the candidate to evaluate an AI output, the candidate struggles.
Generation Z’s AI Paradox
We assume that Generation Z should be both AI natives and critical thinkers, but many tend to only have the former.
Familiarity with generative AI is not the same as literacy. While Generation Z may be more advanced at generating quick results or using free LLMs for superficial tasks, they need to develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills that only come from hours of writing, reading, and problem-solving. AI can be a great coach for this work, but students cannot outsource it to AI and expect to be successful.
AI as a Learning Tool, Not a Crutch
There are AI assistants with guardrails used in secondary and higher education. Some provide students with feedback on in-process writing, including built-in examples of strong suggestions. While AI can be a helpful tool, it does not write or edit for the student. With the help of AI, students become better writers, but also better communicators and critical thinkers.
The Misuse of AI in Education
Unfortunately, the irresponsible use of AI is a major problem in education. A Turnitin and Vanson Bourne survey found that a majority (95%) of academic administrators, educators, and students believe AI is being misused in some way. Additionally, an analysis of data from the latest version of Turnitin’s proprietary AI detection tool shows that as of October 2025, approximately 15% of essay submissions contained more than 80% AI-generated text, up from an average of 3% when we launched our original version of the AI detector in April 2023. There is clearly still a lot to do.
The Struggle to Keep Up with AI Developments
Educators, students, and employers are all struggling to keep up with the rapid development of AI. Conflicting statements about the appropriate use of AI confuse students – some professors ban it, others encourage it, and everything in between. Less than half of U.S. colleges surveyed for Educause’s 2024 AI Landscape Study reported having an AI policy. There is currently a gap between focusing solely on detecting and preventing AI misuse and providing guidance on responsible and effective integration.
Bridging the AI Skills Gap
The good news? This gap can be closed – but it must be addressed at its source: in classrooms and lecture halls. While employers can provide training, the foundation of AI skills must be laid during a student’s training and not reinforced later in the workplace.
Here are four actionable educational practices to help graduates enter the workforce with stronger AI skills:
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