Some 41% of schools in the United States and the United Kingdom have experienced AI-related cyber incidents, ranging from phishing campaigns to harmful student-generated content, according to a recently released study from a systems identity and access management firm.
Among the 41% of schools experiencing an AI-related cyber incident, 11% reported that the incident caused a disruption, while 30% noted that the incident was contained quickly, according to a survey of 1,460 education administrators in the U.S. and U.K. conducted by TrendCandy for Keeper Security.
Most institutions (82%) said they feel at least “somewhat prepared” to handle AI-related cybersecurity threats, though that number falls to 32% for those who feel “very prepared,” the survey noted. This confidence, tempered by caution, shows that schools are aware of risks, but sizable gaps remain in overall preparedness, and uncertainty persists about the effectiveness of existing safeguards.
Dr. Elyse Thulin speaks with Tech News World about the importance of tailoring AI usage plans to fit school and community needs and the importance for research in the space of AI usage in schools in general.