WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 25, 2025 – A new national survey reveals that teachers are experiencing significant time savings — an “AI dividend” — by using artificial intelligence tools to help complete a variety of tasks. According to the Gallup-Walton Family Foundation poll, teachers who use AI tools at least weekly save an average of 5.9 hours per week — amounting to six weeks over the course of the school year, which teachers can then reinvest in other areas.

Despite the benefits of the “AI dividend,” only 32% of teachers report using AI at least weekly, while 28% use it infrequently and 40% still aren’t using it at all.

The most common uses of AI among those using it at least monthly include:

• Preparing lessons (37%)
• Creating worksheets (33%)
• Modifying materials to meet students’ needs (28%)
• Doing administrative work (28%)
• Making assessments (25%)

Less common applications include grading (16%), providing one-on-one instruction (14%) and analyzing student data (12%).

Teachers See Time Savings and Quality Gains

Teachers who engage with AI tools more frequently report greater time savings: Weekly AI users save an average of 5.9 hours each week, twice as much time as those who only use AI monthly (2.9 hours per week). Out of a list of nine tasks, teachers are most likely to report that AI saves them time when creating worksheets or assessments, doing administrative work, or preparing lessons.

A majority also say AI tools improve the quality of their work — and very few (16% or less) say the quality is lessened. Among those who use AI for specific tasks:

• 64% say it improves the quality of materials adapted to meet student needs.
• 61% report higher-quality insights from student learning and achievement data.
• 57% see improvements in the grading and feedback they provide to students.

“Teachers are not only gaining back valuable time, they are also reporting that AI is helping to strengthen the quality of their work,” said Stephanie Marken, senior partner for U.S. research at Gallup. “However, a clear gap in AI adoption remains. Schools need to provide the tools, training, and support to make effective AI use possible for every teacher.”

Unlocking AI’s Potential

When asked to consider AI’s potential benefits for the future of education, improving accessibility was the top benefit teachers identified. A majority (57%) agree AI will improve the accessibility of learning materials for students with disabilities — a view held even more strongly by special education teachers (65%).

Teachers also agree that AI will:

• Reduce teacher workloads (50%)
• Improve the quality of real-time feedback for students (50%)
• Make learning materials more engaging (46%)

“Teachers are catalysts for change and creativity in every classroom. When we equip them with the tools to succeed and opportunities to grow, they elevate learning and unlock potential for every student,” said Romy Drucker, Education Program Director at the Walton Family Foundation.

School Policies Drive Adoption — and Impact

Teachers in schools with an AI policy are more likely to have used AI in the past year (70% vs. 60%) and are realizing greater time-saving benefits. On average, schools with an AI policy are seeing a 26% larger “AI dividend” — equivalent to 2.3 hours saved per week per teacher, compared with 1.7 hours in schools without such a policy. Despite this, just 19% of teachers report their school has an AI policy.

Perceptions of AI

Overall, 40% of teachers favor the use of AI tools in K-12 schools, and 28% oppose. Thirty percent neither favor nor oppose its use. Those who are AI users themselves are much more likely to favor use compared with those who have not used AI (56% vs. 16%).

More frequent AI users — teachers who use it at least weekly — are more likely to think that students’ use of AI will have positive outcomes. For example, 48% of teachers who use AI weekly think AI will increase student engagement, compared with 28% of teachers who use AI infrequently and 25% of teachers who have never used it this school year. They are also more likely to say AI use will increase skills like problem solving and critical thinking.

About the Walton Family Foundation

The Walton Family Foundation is, at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more, visit waltonfamilyfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

About Gallup

Gallup delivers analytics and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 85 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of employees, customers, students and citizens than any other organization in the world.