UK students face ‘Bring Your Own AI’ crisis as universities struggle with AI inequality gap

• Inequality in access to AI is creating a wealth-gap between student groups

• Almost half of UK students say only those who can pay get the full benefits of AI, leaving others behind

• Survey reveals that 48% believe universities should provide free or subsidised AI access

Basingstoke, UK; 23rd September 2025: A new UK-wide student survey from ICS.AI has revealed that universities are on the brink of an AI access crisis, with students forced into a ‘bring your own AI’ model that risks deepening inequality and creating security risks.

The survey of 1,000 students (aged 18-30) highlights widespread reliance on free AI tools, with 77% using free versions only and just 2.3% using paid subscriptions. Nearly half (45%) admit they feel disadvantaged without premium AI access, fuelling what ICS.AI is calling a ‘pay-to-play education model’.

With students returning to campus this September, the findings shine a spotlight on the growing tension between student demand for AI and the financial realities facing UK universities. While AI is already enhancing academic outcomes, affordability and equity issues are creating a new digital divide. With budgets already under strain, universities face an impossible choice between multimillion-pound licensing deals or leaving students to fend for themselves.

While the findings point to inequality, they also highlight the transformative impact of AI in higher education. Seventy percent of students say AI has improved their academic performance, and around the same proportion (76%) report reduced stress or workload.

Key findings from the ICS.AI education survey include:

• Free-first reliance: 77% of students depend on free AI tools with prevalent use of a breadth of LLM models including ChatGPT (79%), followed by Google Gemini (20%), and Microsoft Copilot (18%).

• Equity concerns: 45% feel at least slightly disadvantaged compared to peers with paid AI access.

• Expectations of universities: 48% want institutions to provide free or subsidised AI access, and 74% want training on how to use AI responsibly and effectively.

• University choice: Over half (51%) say free university-provided AI would influence where they choose to study.

  
  

Martin Neale, CEO of ICS.AI, said:

“Students are telling us loud and clear that AI is transforming their learning – helping to reduce stress and improve performance. But access is unequal. This research highlights a growing ‘bring your own AI’ crisis where affordability dictates outcomes, and universities risk reputational damage while struggling with budget constraints. The question now is how the sector can respond, and how we can support them in doing so.”

Find out more at our upcoming event

ICS.AI will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 25th September to explore the findings, share perspectives from universities and students, and discuss how the sector can respond to this emerging crisis. Register your space at the event.

Survey methodology: The ICS.AI AI in Higher Education Study surveyed 1,000 students aged 18–30 from UK higher education institutions. The online quantitative survey was conducted in September 2025. Respondents were 72% female and 28% male.

PR and Media enquiries: For more information, please contact Fiona Watson (fiona.watson@ics.ai) - CMO, ICS.AI.

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