PHILADELPHIA, PA — A survey of high-performing math students in the United States and United Kingdom found that nearly 70% use artificial intelligence tools for coursework, reflecting a growing role for AI in education.
The survey, conducted by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, included more than 1,300 11th- and 12th-grade students in the U.S. and sixth form students in England and Wales participating in the MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge.
According to the results, 68% of students reported using AI for math assignments or exams, with 10% using it daily, 20% weekly, and 38% occasionally.
Students cited concept understanding and answer verification as primary reasons for using AI, with 48% saying it helps them grasp material without a tutor and about one-third using it to check answers before submitting work.
About 24% said they use AI for direct help with assignments.
Nearly half of respondents, 49%, said AI should be used alongside traditional instruction rather than as a replacement for teachers.
The survey also found that 75% of students complete homework independently, while 58% seek help from teachers, about half consult peers, and nearly 40% turn to AI when facing difficult problems.
Interest in math was most often driven by problem-solving, cited by 57% of students, followed by influence from teachers at 41% and future academic or career prospects at about one-third.
Suzanne Weekes, CEO of SIAM, said the findings offer insight into how students are adapting to new tools.
“These insights may be helpful to guide other students,” Weekes said, noting broader concerns about declining math performance in both countries.
Students identified regular practice and staying current with homework as key strategies for improving performance, while some suggested breaking complex problems into smaller steps and applying math to real-world situations.
In a parallel survey of 250 teachers in the U.S. and U.K., educators similarly emphasized consistent practice, staying current with assignments, and step-by-step problem solving as key to improving math outcomes.
Teachers also pointed to engaging instruction and exposure to problem-solving activities as important factors in building student interest in math.
The MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge, now in its 21st year, involves teams of students working for 14 hours to solve real-world problems using mathematical modeling.
This year’s competition drew more than 3,400 students across 770 teams, with finalists scheduled to compete in New York City on April 27.
More information is available at https://www.siam.org and https://www.mathworks.com.
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