More than seven in ten (73%) UK children surveyed who use AI for schoolwork say they have handed in AI-generated work as their own, above the European average of 68%, according to a new report.

GoStudent’s annual Future of Education Report 2026 draws on research among 3,001 parents, their 3,001 children aged 8 to 16 and 300 teachers across six European countries. 

The report found that almost three-quarters (72%) of UK children surveyed use AI for schoolwork, while 88% of UK teachers use it in their own work. Yet formal teaching on AI remains limited. Only 28% of UK children surveyed say they have had a structured lesson on how to use it at school, and more than a third (36%) say they have never been formally taught how to use it.

For many pupils, handing in AI-generated work is a regular occurrence. Almost six in ten (58%) UK children surveyed who use AI for schoolwork say they do so at least once a week, the highest proportion of the six countries surveyed.

Parents and teachers are also aware of the issue. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of UK parents surveyed whose children use AI for schoolwork say their child has handed in AI-generated work as their own. Among teachers surveyed, 94% say they are aware of pupils doing this, with 66% saying it happens at least once a week.

The findings also raise questions about the potential impact on pupils’ independent skills. More than four in ten (44%) UK teachers surveyed are not confident that most of their pupils could write a full essay from scratch without AI.

Felix Ohswald, CEO and Co-Founder of GoStudent, said: “AI can help children understand difficult concepts and practise challenging exam topics with tailored questions. The key is teaching them to use it critically to strengthen their understanding, rather than do their homework for them.

“Learning also means asking questions, discussing ideas and working through mistakes. AI can be a valuable part of that process, but children still need the guidance to develop their own understanding and think independently.”

The report is published amid wider concern about AI misuse in formal assessment. Ofqual’s Chief Regulator wrote to exam boards this year about the misuse of AI in coursework, warning that while detected cases remain relatively low, teachers and school leaders are concerned about the real extent of the problem.