Two-thirds of prospective students are now using AI tools to research their study options, but confidence in the information remains low, according to new data from Keystone Education Group.
In a survey of over 1,700 prospective students conducted in August 2025, 67% reported using AI tools at least monthly to explore study opportunities, with one in three using them daily. Despite this uptake, only 36% said they found the information “very” or “extremely” trustworthy, while 8% said they did not trust AI-generated information at all.
The findings suggest that while AI is increasingly part of the student journey in the early stages of research, traditional sources of information still hold greater credibility.
“Our research confirms that AI is used, but with caution,” said Dr Mark Bennett, VP of Research & Insight at Keystone Education Group. “It’s natural that students turn to AI for quick insights on important and complex decisions, but it’s equally unsurprising that they continue to place greater trust in traditionally authored information and guidance.”
Keystone’s research highlights a growing gap between convenience and confidence. As AI becomes more embedded in how students gather information, the challenge for institutions will be ensuring that the content students encounter is not only accessible but also accurate and trusted.
Keystone Education Group supports more than 5,500 institutions in 190 countries, helping over 100 million students each year explore study opportunities through its suite of platforms and services.
