AI becomes second-biggest concern for undergraduates

New research from Global Undergraduate Awards shows artificial intelligence has become the second-biggest concern among undergraduates worldwide, with 55% of students citing it as a worry.

That marks a sharp rise from fifth place a year earlier, pushing AI ahead of climate change, mental health and broader environmental issues. Social and economic inequality remained the top concern among students surveyed.

The findings point to a significant shift in how undergraduates view AI's effect on their lives and prospects after university. It was the only issue in the top five to rise, while the overall pattern of concerns remained broadly stable.

Concern about climate change fell to 46% from 56%, dropping it from second to third place. Environmental issues stood at 44%, while mental health was cited by 42% of respondents.

The wider list of concerns included geopolitical issues, migration, political polarisation, access to appropriate employment and global health threats. Together, the results suggest students are balancing longstanding social and environmental anxieties with newer concerns linked to technological change.

Jobs focus

Employment after graduation was a central issue in the survey. Students are increasingly focused on how AI may affect hiring and the availability of jobs at the start of their careers.

“The findings clearly show that AI is rising up the agenda as a key area of concern for undergraduates globally. This is something that policymakers need to take note of. The central focus is the jobs market post-graduation and what sort of impact AI is going to have on career prospects for many. There is a palpable concern about the prospect of jobs destruction. The fact that AI has accelerated in our research findings from fifth to second place in just one year is a tangible demonstration of how quickly it has become a significant issue for students as they look to the future,” said Jim Barry, Chair, Global Undergraduate Awards.

The survey comes amid broader debate about automation in recruitment and early-career hiring. In the UK, concerns have recently centred on the use of AI in CV screening and online-only recruitment processes, which critics say can make it harder for candidates to stand out on qualities that are less easy to measure automatically.

That context appears to have sharpened students' sense that AI is not just a subject of study or a research tool, but a force that could shape how they enter the labour market. For many undergraduates, the issue is already tied to questions of security, fairness and the value of individual talent.

Climate slips

Climate change remained one of the most important issues in the survey despite its fall in the rankings. Even so, it stayed firmly within the top three concerns identified by respondents.

Barry said the drop was notable given the visibility of climate-related disruption and the political tensions around action to address it.

“At the same time, while climate change remains firmly in the top three concerns, it is worrying to see it fall in the rankings as its impacts become increasingly visible and significant. It highlights the challenge of keeping climate change to the forefront as other issues compete for attention and the societal and economic changes required are increasingly weaponised politically,” said Barry.

The data suggests AI is joining, rather than replacing, a set of established worries among young people. Social and economic inequality, climate change, environmental issues and mental health all remained major themes in student responses, even as attention shifted sharply towards artificial intelligence.

Global Undergraduate Awards published the findings alongside its announcement of undergraduate global winners for 2026. The results offer a snapshot of the issues shaping the outlook of the next generation of graduates, with AI now ranking ahead of climate change, mental health and environmental issues.