Back to School 2025: Are Teens Being Left Behind on AI?

Author: JA USA
Work Readiness
Published: Thursday, 31 Jul 2025

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As students head back to the classroom this fall, new insights from Junior Achievement reveal a growing disconnect between the skills today’s teens need and what they’re actually learning in school.

In a recent national survey conducted by Big Village for Junior Achievement, 64% of teens (ages 13–17) said they are not using AI as a learning tool at school. This comes at a time when AI is rapidly reshaping industries, changing the ways we work, communicate, and solve problems.

Even more telling: 60% of teens believe the primary purpose of education is to prepare them for future jobs and careers—yet most report that AI education is missing from their classroom experience.

What Teens Are Telling Us

While the lack of AI education raises concerns, students still show optimism about the direction of their education overall:

· 68% of teens agree their schools are doing a good job preparing them for future careers

· 42% admit to using AI to complete school assignments, up from 30% just a year ago

· 55% believe using AI for homework without doing the work themselves is cheating, a number that remains nearly unchanged from 2024

These stats tell a story: teens are eager to engage with technology, but many are navigating it without proper guidance or clear expectations.

Why This Matters

AI isn’t just another tech trend; it’s fundamentally altering the way the world works. And yet, many students are learning about it on their own, outside the classroom, often through trial and error.

At Junior Achievement, we believe preparing students for the future means more than just job titles and test scores. It means helping them understand how to use technology like AI responsibly, creatively, and confidently.

That’s why we’re committed to advancing both AI literacy and essential human skills like creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration that will help young people thrive no matter how the world evolves.

The message is clear: the future of education must evolve alongside the future of work.

How JA Is Taking Action

Junior Achievement continues to work hand-in-hand with educators, volunteers, and industry leaders to:

· Integrate AI awareness and ethics into learning experiences

· Help students understand when and how to use AI responsibly

· Build future-ready confidence through programs that teach real-world career skills

As we enter a new school year, the call to action is simple: students need more than traditional learning; they need the tools and context to navigate a rapidly changing world.