AI in Education Podcast Gen Z to Gen AI: What Students Really Think – with Dr Anna Denejkina
Aug 14, 2025
Dr. Anna Denejkina, a researcher at the Insight Centre and Student Edge, explores how young Australians are engaging with generative AI. She reveals that 30% of Gen Z students are reconsidering their career paths due to AI's impact on job security. Gender influences confidence in AI skills, with notable disparities affecting women in STEM. Denejkina emphasizes the need for clear guidelines on AI use to combat plagiarism misconceptions and advocates for more inclusive decision-making in AI development to better reflect student needs.
AI Snips
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Transcript
Episode notes
Rapid, Diverse Student Adoption
- Young people adopted generative AI rapidly and in varied ways, not just for cheating.
- Usage mirrors broader societal adoption with diverse, creative use cases across study and work.
Career Rethink: Future-Proofing With AI
- Around 30% of students are rethinking study or career plans because of AI and to future-proof themselves.
- Many plan not to abandon careers but to integrate new AI skills into their roles.
15-Year-Old Pivot To Caring Roles
- A 15-year-old thought electronics jobs would vanish and considered switching to caring roles.
- That student's reasoning highlighted young people's pragmatic pivot toward human-centered careers.