Canadian teachers worry about AI use by students: study

Majority believe large percentage of pupils using technology for homework amid concerns about decline in critical thinking skills

Published Aug 27, 2026  •  Last updated 24 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

A new survey of Canadian teachers paints a worrying picture of artificial intelligence use among students. Photo by Tada Images /Adobe Stock

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A new survey of teachers in elementary, middle and high schools paints a worrying picture of artificial intelligence use in Canadian classrooms.

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The study, conducted by Leger for the Fraser Institute between Nov. 28, 2025, and Jan. 19, 2026, asked 756 teachers across the country who taught grade 6 or higher about the growing use of AI among educators and students.

The results of the survey, released Thursday, do not appear to be reassuring.

A majority of teachers said they are using AI in their classrooms, believe a large percentage of students are using the technology to complete homework, perceive declines in students’ critical thinking skills, and report a lack of AI policies and training at their schools.

Nearly 96% of teachers surveyed believe at least some of their students use AI for homework, while more than 42% believe more than half of them do.

Using AI to do homework

Of the students perceived to use AI, teachers believe that nearly 56% use it to do their work for them.

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And when compared to five years ago, nearly 84% of teachers said students’ critical thinking skills has declined while nearly three-in-four educators report that current in-class writing and analytical skills are worse.

The survey also found nearly four-in-five teachers say some of their students submitted class assignments that were lower quality than work done at home, while more than 90% said the difference between the quality of in-class assignments and homework has been increasing over time.

“Student performance across Canada has been declining for decades, firmly predating the advent of AI. Yet teachers’ responses regarding students’ use of AI, critical thinking skills, and academic abilities suggest a serious and growing problem,” said the study, titled Survey of Canadian Grades 6-12 Teachers on AI Use.

Meanwhile, about two-in-three educators said they are using AI to assist in their teaching, and a similar number revealed they are using it at least on a weekly basis.

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Nearly half provided AI training

Nearly half of those polled said their school or school board has provided AI training for in-class lessons and materials, while nearly 64% report no training on instructing students to use AI reasonably, and about the same number report no training to identify students using AI.

In addition, more than one-in-three teachers said their school has a policy regarding staff AI use, and more than 42% said there was one for student AI use.

“These findings raise serious questions for schools serving grades 6–12, which include late elementary, middle, and high schools,” the report said. “AI is a moving target, and these survey results suggest that schools across Canada have thus far failed to get ahead of it.”

The survey also found regional variations on AI use among teachers, with educators using the technology more frequently outside Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

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Gap between independent and public schools

Other differences the study noted is the gap between independent and public school teachers.

Those teaching at independent schools indicated higher rates of AI usage and a greater perceived impact on their effectiveness than public school teachers surveyed.

In addition, independent school teachers suspect a greater number of their students are using AI for home assignments, compared to those teaching in public schools. However, independent teachers also believe a larger share of their students are using AI reasonably rather than inappropriately.

“An analysis of the survey responses suggests that if a teacher has training in AI, they are more likely to use AI as a teacher, more likely to perceive a stronger impact on their teaching effectiveness, and may be more adept at detecting student AI use,” the study said.

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