Help us report on artificial intelligence in education across Nebraska - Nebraska Public Media

National survey results over the past year show that parents, students and educators across the country are using more artificial intelligence tools. But research shows that there are a variety of ways they are using artificial intelligence in educational settings, and that’s creating several divides based on where students live, how much money parents make and the level of involvement and initiative certain schools are taking with artificial intelligence uses and experiences.

As part of Nebraska Public Media News’ reporting on the increasing use of artificial intelligence in Nebraska classrooms, we are looking for insight into how students, educators and schools are leaning into replacing traditional educational practices with artificial intelligence tools. This survey is open to students in K-12 schools, whether those are public or private; students and educators in homeschool settings; teachers and educators who instruct students either in primary education settings or secondary schools; school administrators; and parents of students in schools.

If you would like to share more of your thoughts with our education reporter, please leave your contact information in the survey. We won’t reach out unless you give us permission, and we won’t sell your information.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Nebraska Public Media News’ education reporter Jolie Peal at jpeal@nebraskapublicmedia.org.

According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, more than half of teenagers said they use chatbots to search for information or get help with schoolwork. A majority of those teens, 59%, said they believed students use AI chatbots to cheat “somewhat often” to “extremely/very often.”

About 51% of parents who were surveyed said their teen uses a chatbot, and 18% said they do not. Some others, 28% of respondents, said they weren’t sure.

Additionally, parents said they are OK with their teenagers using chatbots for informational purposes or fun but are against using AI for casual conversation or emotional support.

Research conducted by the Center for Democracy and Technology found that there are four risks emerging with the current status of AI use in schools, including data breaches and ransomware attacks, tech-enabled sexual harassment and bullying, AI systems that do not work as intended and troubling interactions between students and technology.

But even with the growing conversation about risks, 85% of schools surveyed by the Center for Democracy and Technology said they used AI in the classroom in the 2024-25 school year and that school policies are trending toward permitting AI use.

The use of AI in classrooms can vary widely between developing curriculum and content, engaging with students and grading assignments – to name a few examples. But the center’s research also found that if teachers use AI in the classroom more, the more likely they are to agree with potential benefits of its use. The study also saw that students whose school uses AI for many reasons are more likely to agree that AI creates distance from their teachers.