A new global survey reveals that young learners strongly support the role of AI in education, viewing virtual tutors and interactive tools as promising developments for future classrooms. Ahead of World Teachers’ Day, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky published research indicating that Generation Z demonstrates higher awareness of educational technology compared to other demographic groups.
Rising Expectations for AI in Education
Digital technology serves as a standard element of the learning process for Generation Z. Having grown up with online platforms and software tools, these students regularly observe how digital systems change information processing. Consequently, their expectations for academic environments reflect this digital familiarity.
Among Generation Z respondents, 18% identified personalized virtual tutors as one of the most promising technologies for future development. This represents the highest proportion across all surveyed generations, where the overall average stood at 16%. In addition, 14% highlighted virtual and augmented reality classrooms with assistant software as a promising direction, compared to 12% across all age groups.
Key Survey Findings and Generational Shifts
The study highlights a continuing expansion of technology across schools and universities. Specifically, 68% of Generation Z respondents reported seeing digital tools used more widely in their studies over the past five years, compared with 55% of respondents overall. This shift provides an established base for further software integration.
While the adoption of artificial intelligence and AI in education offers personalized explanations, international organizations urge caution. Both the OECD Digital Education Outlook and guidance from UNESCO emphasize that algorithmic teaching requires human oversight, ethical standards, and robust data protection.
“Gen Z has grown up in an environment where digital technologies are already part of everyday learning. Their expectations show that the next stage of education will be about creating more personalized and interactive learning experiences with the help of AI. However, this transition triggers severe cognitive and educational dead-ends, where over-reliance on algorithms threatens critical thinking and independent problem-solving.”
Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Academic Affairs at Kaspersky
Essential Principles for Safe Technology Use
As digital tools expand into instructional settings, understanding system limitations becomes critical for students and teachers. Kaspersky outlined three fundamental practices for using automated educational platforms:
- Verification of information: Students should treat automated answers as starting points and verify facts using reliable reference material.
- Involvement of human expertise: Algorithmic explanations cannot replace independent analysis, critical thinking, and teacher guidance.
- Protection of personal data: Learners must manage privacy settings and monitor the types of data shared with online platforms.
Building Digital Skills and Cyber Awareness
Developing broader competencies in cybersecurity remains equally important for modern learners. To support safe adoption, Kaspersky launched an online training series addressing responsible use of AI in education and published a digital guide with security recommendations for families.
The research survey took place in 2026 and included 7,200 respondents across 18 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Germany, China, India, and Brazil.
