According to Google’s third annual global study of AI usage, learning is the main reason people turn to AI tools, surpassing entertainment for the first time. The findings were shared on LinkedIn by Fabien Curto Millet, based on research conducted with Ipsos and in 21 countries.
A survey titled Our life with AIbased on responses from 21,000 participants, suggests that AI has moved from novelty to practicality, especially in education. Data shows that the majority of people in nearly every country surveyed report currently using an AI chatbot, with learning cited as the top motivator.
Education users emerge as the most active adopters of AI
This research shows that students, teachers, and parents use AI at higher rates than the general public and have more positive perceptions about the impact of AI on learning. 85% of students ages 18 and older say they use AI to help with schoolwork, understand complex topics, and manage daily tasks. Teacher engagement is even higher, with 81 percent saying they use AI tools, compared to 66 percent of the global population.
Parents have expressed similar interest, with 76% reporting using AI for learning, work support, and career-related decision-making. Across all three groups, most respondents say AI is improving the way they learn, rather than impairing their cognitive skills.
In another six-month trial in Northern Ireland mentioned in the findings, teachers reported saving an average of 10 hours a week using Google’s Gemini tool.
Global attitudes toward AI in learning remain largely positive
Outside of the United States, Canada, and Europe, attitudes toward AI in education remain largely positive. In emerging markets, respondents are more likely to believe that AI will improve student performance through personalized learning, rather than erode critical thinking and worsen performance.
Similar sentiments were found in East Asia, including South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, where respondents reported confidence in the role of AI in supporting education despite existing academic performance.
The findings suggest that the acceptance of AI in learning is not limited to early adopter regions, but is becoming more global and ubiquitous.
In addition to increased usage, the survey highlights rising expectations about how AI tools should be designed and managed. Respondents increasingly expect technology companies and governments to work together to ensure AI supports the public good and does not deepen existing inequalities.
Ben Gomez, Google’s chief technologist for learning and sustainability, said: “For the first time, learning is the number one motivator for using AI. Students, teachers, and parents are seeing value in AI. They are using AI at higher rates than the general population, positively perceive its impact on learning, and are emerging as AI’s ‘super users’ in 2025.”
