TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's ninth-grade students (14-15 years old) have embraced artificial intelligence at remarkable rates, with 94.2% aware of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, according to research released Monday (Sept. 1). The National Academy for Educational Research (國家教育研究院) and Academia Sinica (中央研究院), Taiwan's premier research institute, conducted the comprehensive survey revealing widespread AI recognition among junior high students across the island.
The research reveals that approximately 69% of ninth-graders actively use generative AI, with 46% engaging with these technologies once or twice weekly. This frequency demonstrates how students are integrating AI tools into their regular learning routines, marking a significant shift in educational practices. More than half of students, 53.2%, reported receiving instruction from teachers on generative AI usage, suggesting that approximately half of Taiwan's schools have incorporated AI education into their curricula.
Students deploy generative AI across diverse academic activities, including homework completion, language translation, information searches, image and video creation, language learning, and casual conversations. The National Academy for Educational Research noted that while digital-native students readily accept emerging technologies, a significant gap persists between awareness and practical application. The academy stressed the crucial importance of formal school education in bridging this divide and properly teaching generative AI skills to students. ◼