Published Queen’s survey results will inform AI integration in teaching

Queen’s survey surrounding AI reveals that at least 55 per cent of students are already using it.

From July 2 to Oct. 15, Queen’s AI Nexus—a team of academic and administrative decision makers advising the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Queen’s—collected data from 2,244 Queen’s community members, including students, staff, and faculty, on their thoughts on AI to inform how it will be integrated into Queen’s education.

The survey collected data from 562 Queen’s staff members, 381 faculty and librarians, and 1,242 students. According to the 2025 Generative AI Needs Assessment Community Shareback document, student respondents were low because the survey was primarily open over the summer months, but expanded student input will be heard in the following months through committees, surveys, and student government.

The survey collected data and asked a wide range of questions surrounding AI. Questions revealed that ChatGPT is the most popular AI tool among students, staff, and faculty, with over 80 per cent of survey participants reporting use. As well, 56 per cent of students desire clear rules and regulations about how and when AI can be used in classrooms.

According to the survey, 42 per cent of instructors don’t feel prepared to teach with AI. In a statement to The Journal, Eleftherios Soleas, special advisor to the provost on generative AI, assured that there are tools in place to help teach instructors and that more tools are on the way.

“The Centre for Teaching and Learning’s AI Community of Practice is one example. Stay tuned for more from the Library, ITS, Student Academic Success Services (SASS), and the AI Nexus,”
Soleas wrote.

Soleas also emphasized the need to integrate AI to ensure that students have the tools, knowledge, and capabilities they need to use AI when moving into the real world.

“Queen’s has the obligation and opportunity to make sure that our learners have the skills they need to succeed. We’re integrating AI concepts, tools, and approaches into our courses to keep up with the reality in front of us and the future that is to come,” Soleas wrote.

Despite Soleas emphasis on the need to integrate AI and prepare students for the future, 32 per cent of respondents voted that the integration of AI into schools could have a negative outcome. In response to this result, Soleas stated that he, too, assumed negative outcomes from integrating AI and that all diverse concerns and opinions, both positive and negative, are heard and considered.

“As a university, our primary approach has always been an opt-in one, where folks can choose, but aren’t forced to use an AI tool in their role. This is reflected in the membership of the AI Nexus, where there are a variety of people and perspectives on the subcommittees,” he wrote.

Additionally, over 80 per cent of both instructors and students shared the concern that the use of generative AI could reduce critical thinking skills. Soleas didn’t explain a plan to mitigate this concern, but stated that it was a positive sign that faculty and students shared similar concerns.

“In the aggregate, students and faculty had the same top four concerns: AI Inaccuracies, Misinformation, Reduced Critical Thinking, and Academic Integrity,” Soleas said. “In my view, this confirms that community members value the same things, and these provide the foundation for a Queen’s AI coalition effort that meets the moment.”

Soleas noted that AI Nexus is focused on improving secure tools like LibreChat, while continuing to strengthen Queen’s policy framework to address evolving risks, ensure ethical use, and support AI adoption that aligns with Queen’s values.

As for specific changes and developments that have happened and are to come, Soleas shared that AI Nexus is working to strengthen existing tools alongside strict rules and regulations.

Published Queen’s survey results will inform AI integration in teaching

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