Epson has revealed new Educate to Empower 2026 research, conducted by Focaldata and commissioned by Epson, showing that 80% of teachers across Europe worry AI (artifical intelligence) is entering the classroom faster than schools can manage.
The survey of 3,360 people across Europe, conducted in July and August 2026, topline findings include:
- 68% of teachers agree that when students use AI to complete their schoolwork, it has a negative effect on learning
- 81% of teachers say some students believe they no longer need to learn how to spell or do basic maths because AI can do it for them
- 72% of teachers believe students may be getting grades they’re not entitled to owing to AI
- 76% of students expect to be able to use AI, and of those students 87% already use some type of AI at least once a week for school.
- 80 per cent of teachers worry AI is entering the classroom faster than schools can manage
- 88% of teachers say students see AI as an easy way to complete tasks without critical thinking
New School Year brings Concerns
As Europe starts a new academic year, research commissioned by Epson shows 4 in 5 (80%) of teachers from a selection of countries across the European continent worry AI is entering the classroom faster than schools can manage.
Students are driving adoption, with the majority (76%) expecting to be able to use AI in their learning. Of those students, almost all (87%) already use some type of AI at least once a week for school.
Teachers worry how the software is being used, with 68% of them agreeing that when students use AI to complete their schoolwork, it has a negative effect on learning.
In fact, most (81%) teachers surveyed say they have noticed students sometimes believe they no longer need to learn how to spell or do basic maths because AI can do it for them. Furthermore, 72% of teachers believe students may be getting grades they are not entitled to owing to AI. And most (88%) of the teachers surveyed think students see AI as an easy way to complete tasks without critical thinking.
Dr Sarah Henkelmann-Hillebrand, lead for education at Epson Europe, said:
“AI is developing at speed, and students expect to be able to use it. That means it needs to be managed effectively, with the right governance, guidelines and training in place. But it’s also important to look at how AI can enhance the learning experience. By supporting students and teachers to co-create in immersive learning spaces, using technologies such as projection alongside AI, we can make learning more engaging and collaborative while helping students develop the skills they’ll need for a future dominated by AI.”
EU AI Act now applies
The news comes as the EU AI Act is now enforced: the majority of applicable rules of the EU AI Act can now be enforced, effective from the beginning of August 2026. This now means schools in Europe and International Schools must ensure staff have sufficient AI literacy training for the AI tools they are using. In this context, when surveyed, 82% of teachers said they would like more training in how to oversee the use of AI by students and 78% would like more training and guidance on how they can use it in their own work.
