An analysis published by WCET, citing Risepoint’s 2026 Voice of the Online Learner report, finds that artificial intelligence is changing how online students research and choose academic programs, with AI tool usage during program discovery rising from 6% to 17% in a single year. The report finds that 71% of learners now consider AI literacy essential to career success, and that students increasingly want institutions to teach responsible and ethical AI use rather than simply provide access to the tools. Despite the shift toward AI-assisted learning, the analysis notes that 81% of learners still want to visit a campus at some point during their educational journey, underscoring a continued desire for human and in-person connection.
