A recent survey by the Bitkom, Germany’s digital association, has revealed a significant gap in the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage within the nation’s secondary schools. The findings, released Monday, indicate that only 23% of institutions have established central guidelines governing AI’s application, impacting the entire school environment.
A further 35% of schools are relying on individual teachers to dictate their own AI policies, resulting in a fragmented approach across classrooms. Worryingly, nearly a quarter (27%) of schools currently lack any formal rules regarding AI use.
Despite the relative absence of clear institutional guidance, AI adoption amongst students is already widespread. Approximately 65% of students are reportedly utilizing AI tools for school-related activities.
However, the existence of rules alone doesn’t guarantee adherence. The survey highlighted a disconnect between policy and practice, with nearly half (46%) of students who use AI believing their teachers are unaware of their usage, even when potentially in violation of existing guidelines. Furthermore, 29% of students expressed confidence in their own ability to navigate AI tools more effectively than their educators.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, a significant majority (80%) of students expressed a desire for structured education on the responsible use of AI applications within the school setting. While 55% are currently receiving some form of instruction, a considerable need for more comprehensive training remains evident.
The survey, conducted by Bitkom Research, involved a telephone survey of 502 students aged 14 to 19 across Germany, including 327 self-identified users of AI. Data collection took place between March and April 2025.
