CSU Shares AI Findings in System-Wide Survey
In a groundbreaking system-wide survey, California State University (CSU) has shed light on the extensive use of artificial intelligence (AI) across its 22 campuses. The survey, reportedly the largest of its kind in higher education, gathered insights from more than 94,000 faculty, staff, and students. Remarkably, 95% of respondents acknowledged using at least one generative AI tool, underscoring the technology’s pervasive presence in academia.
Survey Details and Findings
The survey, titled “Ahead of the Curve: What the Nation’s Largest Public University System is Learning about AI,” included responses from approximately 80,000 students, over 6,000 faculty, and more than 7,300 staff members. The findings present a comprehensive picture of AI adoption and utilization within the university system.
- Most respondents reported using three AI tools, with ChatGPT being the most popular. It was cited by 87% of faculty, 89% of staff, and 84% of students. Notably, about 30% of students and faculty and nearly 40% of staff use ChatGPT daily or more frequently.
- AI usage extends beyond work and school, with the majority of teachers, staff, and students integrating it into their personal lives as well.
- A significant portion of students (80%) expressed discomfort with submitting AI-generated work as their own.
- More than half of the teachers (55%) employ AI to develop course materials.
- Sixty-nine percent of teachers provide guidance on effective and responsible AI usage, and over two-thirds include AI explanations in their curricula.
- There is a strong consensus on the need to verify AI-generated content’s accuracy, with agreement from 97% of faculty, 94% of staff, and 88% of students.
- The belief that AI will become an essential career skill is shared by 78% of faculty, 82% of staff, and 69% of students.
- Interest in formal AI training is high, expressed by seven out of ten teachers, more than eight out of ten employees, and around half of the students.
Strategic Initiatives and Future Directions
CSU launched an ambitious system-wide AI strategy in February 2025. This initiative introduced ChatGPT Edu, an AI Commons serving as a central hub for free AI tools, training programs, certifications, CSU-developed solutions, and support for AI innovation and workforce training. The survey findings reflect the impact of this strategy.
CSU Chancellor Mildred García emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making in the institution’s AI strategy: “We launched the largest AI initiative in higher education last year to ensure that this exceptional technology expands opportunities for CSU students alike, strengthens faculty and staff excellence, strengthens California’s workforce, and is implemented in a way that reflects CSU’s core values,” said García.
Implications for Higher Education
The survey results highlight a critical shift in higher education’s relationship with AI. As CSU CIO Ed Clark noted, “The survey results reflect what we are seeing across our universities – widespread engagement with AI tools and technologies. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in every academic field and industry, it is important for us to work with our faculty, students, employers, industry leaders, and state and local government officials to better prepare our students and community for this AI-infused environment.”
San Diego State University AI Faculty Fellow David Goldberg, who led the research, added, “This survey captures a moment of transition in higher education where both students and faculty are actively evaluating how AI fits into teaching and learning. The data provides us with a powerful foundation to better support educators by tailoring training to meet real needs, making AI use more consistent in the classroom, and ensuring its use strengthens learning outcomes.”
For those interested in the full report, it is available here on the CSU website.
About the Author
Rhea Kelly is Editor-in-Chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].
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