# MIT report says AI is changing campus life and eroding trust

> A June 2026 MIT study finds AI use cuts office‑hour attendance, shrinks study groups and strains faculty‑student relationships.

Oossa · 2026-10-05 · https://oossa.com/en/mit-report-says-ai-is-changing-campus-life-and-eroding-trust

MIT released a report in June 2026 that documents how students are using AI tools across the board. The study says fewer students attend office hours, online discussion posts have dropped, and study groups in dorms and libraries are shrinking. Faculty say it’s harder to tell what students actually learn.

## What the report recommends

The committee advises against using AI‑text detection software because it often mislabels work by non‑native speakers or neurodivergent students. Instead, every thesis or dissertation should disclose any AI use, and AI may not be listed as a co‑author. Faculty are asked to be transparent when they use AI for slides, feedback or grading.

Instead of blanket rules, the report suggests each course create its own AI policy based on learning goals, assessment design and the nature of the subject. Suggested teaching changes include oral exams, semester‑long portfolios, in‑person discussions and project‑based work.

## Wider impact and unequal access

The study warns that students who can pay for premium AI subscriptions – which can cost several hundred dollars a month – may pull ahead of peers who cannot. MIT already gives faculty and graduate students $30 of free AI credits per month through its Parley platform, but undergraduates must buy their own access.

Similar trends appear at other schools. Harvard surveyed students in 2024 and found 87.5 % used AI, with about a quarter saying they visited office hours less often. In the UK, 95 % of full‑time students used AI by the end of 2025, especially those from wealthier households.

## The facts

- The MIT report was published in June 2026.
- 93 % of the MIT class of 2025 participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program at least once.
- Harvard’s 2024 survey found 87.5 % of students used AI, and about 25 % said it reduced their office‑hour attendance.
- Premium AI subscriptions can cost several hundred dollars per month, while MIT provides $30 of free credits per month to faculty and graduate students.

## Why it matters

Students may skip office hours and study groups, losing chances for direct help and peer learning. Faculty find it harder to assess real understanding, which could affect grades and feedback quality. The gap between students who can afford premium AI tools and those who cannot may widen performance differences on campus.

## Sources & references

1. [AI is eroding office hours, study groups, and the trust between faculty and students, MIT report finds](https://the-decoder.com/ai-is-eroding-office-hours-study-groups-and-the-trust-between-faculty-and-students-mit-report-finds/) – The Decoder, 2026-10-05

Last updated: 2026-10-05