IU International University study finds AI lifts student efficiency
IU International University found 85% of its students report working faster with AI, versus 75% at public universities, in a July 22, 2026 study.
Photo by Ludovic Delot on Pexels
IU International University of Applied Sciences, based in Erfurt, Germany, published its “University Experience Study 2026” on July 22, 2026, reporting that 85 percent of its students and alumni say they work faster and more efficiently thanks to artificial intelligence, the highest share among the university types compared. The IU International University AI study drew on 4,004 students and graduates surveyed by market research firm Kantar Profiles on behalf of IU between August 27 and October 20, 2025.
At public universities in Germany, three-quarters of students and alumni reported the same efficiency gain, while the figure reached almost eight in ten at private universities other than IU, according to the study. IU is Germany’s largest private university, with close to 130,000 students.
What the IU International University AI study found
The survey compared three groups: state universities, private universities excluding IU, and IU itself. Beyond efficiency gains, the study measured how far AI has moved into coursework and how confident students feel using it. At IU, 80 percent of respondents said AI is now an integral part of their studies, compared with 73 percent at other private universities and 68 percent at state universities.
Confidence in responsible AI use showed a similar pattern. Ninety percent of IU graduates said they feel confident using AI tools responsibly, against a 73 percent benchmark across other universities. Ninety-six percent of IU graduates said their degree strengthened their future-oriented skills, compared with an 83 percent benchmark.
| Measure | State universities | Private universities (excl. IU) | IU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report working faster/more efficiently with AI | 75% | ~79% | 85% |
| Say AI is integral to their studies | 68% | 73% | 80% |
| Confident using AI tools responsibly | 73% (benchmark) | 73% (benchmark) | 90% |
| Say degree strengthened future skills | 83% (benchmark) | 83% (benchmark) | 96% |
AI curriculum and the Job Readiness Framework
IU CEO Dr Sven Schütt said the university has built AI into teaching through its personal AI learning assistant Syntea, in use since 2023, and through a “Job Readiness Framework” that has folded fixed AI courses into curricula as part of a pilot project running since April 2026. “With our Job Readiness Framework, we have also been incorporating fixed AI courses into our curricula as part of a major pilot project since April,” Schütt said, adding that the approach reflects labour-market demand for practical AI skills.
The Digital Education Council’s global survey published in July 2026 found that 88 percent of students worldwide now use AI in their learning, drawing on 45,398 responses across 35 countries, a broader base than the IU study’s German-focused sample. Separately, an Instructure survey found 90 percent of higher-education students use AI, though most report receiving no formal training on its use, a gap the IU study did not directly measure but which its Job Readiness Framework pilot is designed to address.
Background
IU International University of Applied Sciences began teaching in 2000 and is based in Erfurt, Germany. The private, state-recognised institution now enrolls close to 130,000 students across 37 campuses and more than 200 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and MBA level, drawing students from over 160 countries. IU introduced its own AI learning companion, Syntea, in 2023 and maintains a network of more than 15,000 partner companies, including Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn. The “University Experience Study 2026,” commissioned from Kantar Profiles and published July 22, 2026, is the university’s latest attempt to measure how that AI investment is translating into reported student outcomes.
Sources: IU International University of Applied Sciences; Silicon Saxony
Featured image: photo by Ludovic Delot on Pexels (free Pexels license).
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I specialize in sustainability education, curriculum co-creation, and early-stage project strategy. At WINSS, I craft articles on sustainability, transformative AI, and related topics. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me chasing the perfect sushi roll, exploring cities around the globe, or unwinding with my dog Puffy — the world’s most loyal sidekick.
