Gen Z is showing greater interest than other generations in AI tutors and immersive classrooms, according to Kaspersky research highlighting how expectations around technology-enabled education are evolving.
Gen Z expects Artificial Intelligence to play an increasingly important role in education, with personalised AI tutors and VR and AR classrooms among the technologies attracting particular interest, according to new Kaspersky research.
The study found 18% of Gen Z respondents identified personalised AI tutors as one of the most promising technologies for the future, compared with 16% across all generations surveyed.
Another 14% of Gen Z respondents highlighted VR and AR classrooms incorporating AI assistants, compared with 12% overall.
The findings come as technology becomes increasingly embedded in students’ educational experiences. More than two-thirds of Gen Z respondents, 68%, said they had seen technology become more widely used in their education during the past five years, compared with 55% of respondents overall.
Kaspersky said AI tutors could potentially allow students to explore subjects at their own pace, receive personalised explanations and practise according to individual needs. VR and AR technologies could meanwhile provide more interactive learning experiences.
However, the research also highlights the importance of developing AI literacy alongside adoption. Students need to understand the capabilities and limitations of AI systems, verify AI-generated information against reliable sources and protect personal information when interacting with AI platforms.
International organisations have also highlighted these considerations. The OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026 and UNESCO guidance on Generative AI in education have identified areas including human oversight, ethical use, data protection and the continued development of human skills.
“Gen Z has grown up in an environment where digital technologies are already part of everyday learning. Their expectations show that the next stage of education will be about creating more personalised and interactive learning experiences with the help of AI. “However, this transition triggers severe cognitive and educational dead-ends, where over-reliance on algorithms threatens critical thinking and independent problem-solving.” said Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Academic Affairs at Kaspersky. “At the same time, successful AI adoption requires more than technology itself. Students and educators need the skills to cross-check information, understand the limitations of AI systems and use these tools responsibly”.
The research was conducted by Kaspersky’s market research centre in 2026 and surveyed 7,200 respondents across 18 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Germany, France, India, Brazil and South Africa.
