'Gen Z uses AI the way their grandparents smoked': Students say they feel pressured to use AI, and many would ban it if they could

Nearly all college students (96%) now utilize AI, yet more than half (56%) would ban the technology if they could. The Fizz study likens Gen Z's relationship with AI to their grandparents' use of cigarettes, noting the widespread adoption, awareness of the negative consequences, and reluctance to give it up. The study found that heavy users (68%) believe schoolwork would become much harder without AI, with this percentage decreasing as usage frequency drops.

Fizz warns that the impact extends beyond homework, with 43% of heavy users believing preparing for their career would also be harder without AI. Nearly half (86%) of daily users admit to using AI for conversations they'd previously have with others, such as career or life advice, personal problems, and message replies. Two-thirds (64%) of surveyed students feel at least some pressure from teachers or educational institutions to adopt AI.

Cognitive decline and dependence are the primary concerns, but environmental damage (35%) is a significant worry as well. Despite these concerns, most students (56%) would ban AI if they could, suggesting that they recognize its broader impact beyond their education.