Most American adults believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will do more harm than good in education, according to a recent poll conducted by NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey. The survey found that 53% of respondents think AI causes more harm than good in K-12 schools, compared to 27% who believe it does more good. A similar sentiment was found in higher education, with 54% of adults believing AI does more harm than good in colleges and universities, while only 24% felt it did more good. When it comes to preparing students for the future, opinions are divided. Forty-four percent of respondents said schools that use AI tools in the classroom would better prepare students than those that ban them. However, this number has decreased by 9 percentage points since June 2025. On the other hand, 56% believe that schools prohibiting AI use would better prepare students, an increase of 9 percentage points from the previous survey. This suggests a growing concern about the role of AI in education and its potential impact on student development. Respondents had mixed views on which uses of AI in schoolwork were acceptable. Proofreading and editing were seen as the most acceptable use, with 49% of adults approving of this. About 41% thought it was acceptable for students to use AI for researching and brainstorming, and 38% believed it was okay to use AI for organizing or outlining ideas. However, 31% of respondents said no AI use was acceptable for school assignments, and only 7% thought it was okay for AI to write or generate content for students. The debate over AI in education is intensifying across school districts and campuses nationwide. Parents and education advocates have raised concerns about AI potentially hindering students' learning and development. As a result, some school districts have implemented restrictions on AI use. For example, New York City recently announced that AI use will be limited for students until high school, with only specific use cases permitted at that level. Meanwhile, Melania Trump, the first lady of the United States, emphasized the importance of teaching students about AI. She told NBC News that students need hands-on experience with AI, as it will shape their futures beyond the classroom. She also stressed the need for vigilance and guidance to ensure students are not left behind in the technological race.