NEWS Over two-thirds of students say AI is biggest time-saver
Older students spent significantly longer on their university assignments; almost a quarter of Baby Boomers (22%) spent around two or three days completing work, revealing they also had fewer time-saving capabilities (78%).
The adoption of AI technology means only 6% of Gen Z students spend as long on their university assignments, with most (63%) spending less than 12 hours. Of those, as few as 5% feel they have no way to save time on their projects.
Over two-thirds of young students (68%) say AI is their biggest time saver at university, as evolving technology positions itself in higher education and creates a clear generational divide between new and former students. The study from Adobe Acrobat surveyed 500 UK students and graduates to uncover how technology has reshaped academic life. While AI is a considerable time saver, the sentiment is heavily generational. Only 15% of Gen X found AI a useful tool for efficiency and productivity during their time at university, with the rise of tools such as ChatGPT and Grammarly only surfacing in recent years.
Across all age groups, internet access for research is considered the biggest time saver when doing work (48%), while instant translators are the least useful (7%). By generation, attitudes to study tools vary. AI-powered tools such as Grammarly are favoured by Gen Z (25%) and Millennials (36%), while Gen X favour general internet access (28%) and file sharing (25%). Two-thirds of all students (66%) felt dissatisfied with their work after months of manual research without using tech tools, and a quarter of those (25%) feel technology has dramatically improved their quality of work. One in five students (20%) say technology has reduced their creativity, yet nearly the same number (18%) say AI has transformed their creative output for the better – with Gen Z feeling most inspired (28%). When participating in collaborative projects, a third of students (33%) now prefer to do all group work remotely to save time. Group work is becoming increasingly less face-to-face. Only 4% of Gen Z ever collaborated in person, compared to almost a third (31%) of Gen X when they were at university. It’s common for students to depend on part-time jobs to fund their university lifestyle, and for those in part-time work, AI is proving advantageous. A third of Gen Z (33%) were able to find more time to earn money, with AI tools saving them time on school projects, compared to just 3% of Gen X.
Pivot Group to expand specialist education provision following Barclays backing
Specialist independent education provider Pivot Group is targeting its next phase of growth after securing a significant funding package from Barclays Business Banking.
The funding will support Pivot Group as it expands its specialist education provision across Yorkshire, helping the organisation extend its offer to more learners, broaden its age-range provision and develop additional specialist hubs in local communities. The investment comes as Pivot marks its 10th anniversary and sets out its ambitions for the decade ahead. Founded on the belief that “children deserve better”, Pivot has grown from a single school into a trusted, multi-site specialist education provider supporting young people with complex needs across West Yorkshire and Humberside. The specialist SEND education sector is currently at an important moment, with Government proposals for system-wide reform placing renewed focus on how children and young people with complex needs are supported. For providers such as Pivot, that creates an opportunity to demonstrate what high-quality, specialist provision can deliver for learners, families and local communities. The new funding will help Pivot continue scaling its model, including through an expanded age-range provision in Kirklees and the development of specialist hubs in Wakefield. The organisation’s aim is to “go where the learners are”, bringing support closer to the young people and families who need it and widening Pivot’s capabilities to match the evolving needs of students. Pivot’s growth is also underpinned by its newly launched Pivot 2030 Charter, a public commitment to the young people, families and communities it serves. The Charter sets out five commitments across People, Places, Progress, Partnerships and Sustainability, creating a framework for how Pivot will strengthen its workforce, expand local access, deliver meaningful outcomes, deepen partnerships and build a model designed to last.
Michael Smith, CEO of Pivot Group, said: “Pivot was founded on a simple belief that children deserve better. Ten years on, we are proud
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www.education-today.co.uk September 2026
of the outcomes we have delivered for young people, but we also know the need for specialist, community-connected education has never been greater. “ This support from Barclays gives us the platform to take the next step in our journey. It will help us reach more learners, closer to home, and widen our capabilities so that our provision continues to match the needs of the young people we support. Benjamin Booth, Business Development Manager at Barclays Business Banking, said: “Pivot Group is a strong example of an ambitious regional organisation investing in growth while delivering real impact for the communities it serves. The team has built a specialist model rooted in local access, partnership and a deep understanding of learners’ needs.
“We’re pleased to support Pivot as it enters its next phase of growth, helping the organisation expand its provision and continue delivering important outcomes for young people and families across Yorkshire and the Humber.”
The funding forms part of Barclays’ wider commitment to supporting growing UK businesses. Barclays has allocated its £22bn Business Prosperity Fund to support Business Banking and UK Corporate Banking clients that want to invest, innovate and grow.
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