AI use mirrors student schedules in study of 77,000 online learners
tags:
How do students actually use AI learning assistants? A new research paper by IU International University of Applied Sciences provides the first robust answers to this question. For the study "Using AI-based Learning Assistants in Higher Education: A Large-Scale Descriptive Analysis," the research team led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kristina Schaaff, Dr. Valerie Hekkel and Quintus Stierstorfer analyzed anonymized usage data from approximately 77,000 IU online students who were using the Learning Companion Syntea at the time of the study.
The paper is published on the arXiv preprint server.
This makes it the world's largest empirical analysis to date of the actual use of a dedicated AI learning assistant in a higher education context. Syntea is currently available to more than 80,000 online students at IU International University of Applied Sciences, as well as around 5,000 learners at IU Academy.
Unlike previous research, which has largely been based on surveys and self-reported data, this study examined students' actual usage behavior.
"Previous research on AI learning assistants has relied primarily on relatively small-scale surveys. Our study is the first to demonstrate how students actually use an AI learning companion such as Syntea, based on real usage data. In doing so, we provide a robust empirical foundation for the further development of AI-supported learning assistants while also making an important research contribution to the use of AI in higher education," explains Schaaff, professor of digital transformation with a focus on AI at IU International University of Applied Sciences.
AI usage follows students' study patterns
Among other findings, the analysis revealed the following:
- Syntea is widely used: Around 58% of the students included in the study used Syntea during the observation period.
- The use of Syntea reflects students' different study and life circumstances: While most interactions take place during weekday daytime hours, part-time students are more likely to use the AI learning companion outside regular working hours, particularly in the evenings and on weekends.
- Students across all age groups use the AI learning companion: Around 64% of Generation Z students (born 1997–2012) use Syntea, compared with around 50% of Generation X students (1965–1980) and 38% of Baby Boomers (1946–1964).
- Women use Syntea slightly more frequently than men (59% compared with 55%).
- Syntea is used particularly intensively in the subject areas of Psychology & Education and Marketing & Communication.
The findings show that AI-supported learning does not take place in isolation from students' everyday study experience, but rather reflects their individual life circumstances. Part-time students, for example, tend to use Syntea more frequently in the evenings and on weekends, while full-time students predominantly use the AI learning companion during weekday daytime hours.
"The findings clearly demonstrate that AI-supported learning has become part of everyday student life at IU. Particularly interesting is the fact that some of the results contradict our original assumptions—for example, the high level of usage among older students. Insights like these can only be gained through the analysis of real usage data and help us to further develop Syntea in a targeted way," says Stierstorfer, senior director of AI product, inventor of Syntea and co-author of the study.
Findings feed directly into the further development of Syntea
For IU, study findings such as these also provide a concrete mandate for further development. Syntea is continuously refined on the basis of scientific evidence, real-world usage data and student feedback.
In the future, Syntea—which has recently evolved from an AI assistant into a Learning Companion—will be enhanced with multimodal capabilities, particularly for visually oriented degree programs, enabling it to support students in an even more personalized way.
In addition to taking account of students' different life circumstances, Syntea will increasingly offer personalized learning dialogues tailored to individual career goals and interests, thereby strengthening the practical relevance of higher education. Accompanying research shows that this approach can increase both student satisfaction and engagement.
Publication details
Kristina Schaaff et al, Using AI-based Learning Assistants in Higher Education: A Large-Scale Descriptive Analysis, arXiv (2026). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2607.08748
Provided by IU Internationale Hochschule
Who's behind this story?
BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →
Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →
Citation: AI use mirrors student schedules in study of 77,000 online learners (2026, August 2) retrieved 2 August 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-07-ai-mirrors-student-online-learners.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.