NBC News · 17 Sep, 09:00 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

Poll: Most Americans think AI is doing more harm than good in schools

A recent poll conducted by NBC News reveals that the majority of Americans believe artificial intelligence is causing more harm than good within educational institutions.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

25–40%salary premium for professionals with applied AI skills

11xgrowth in AI job adverts since 2019

66%of leaders won't hire without AI literacy

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A recent poll conducted by NBC News reveals that the majority of Americans believe artificial intelligence is causing more harm than good within educational institutions. This finding highlights significant public scepticism regarding the integration of AI tools in classrooms and learning environments. For professionals, this signals a growing societal caution around automated decision-making and pedagogical technology. The data suggests that while AI adoption continues, public trust remains fragile, particularly in sectors perceived as fundamental to human development, such as education.

Employer demand for Medical Physics skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This scepticism means you must navigate AI adoption with greater ethical rigour and transparency. Roles requiring high emotional intelligence, complex judgment, and human-centric design will rise in value, as organisations seek to mitigate public distrust. Professionals in education, HR, and policy must prioritise communication skills that explain AI’s role clearly. You should focus on upskilling in ethical AI governance and change management. Do not assume technical proficiency alone is sufficient; your ability to manage stakeholder concerns and demonstrate human oversight is now a critical differentiator. Proactively engage in discussions about responsible AI use to position yourself as a trusted advisor who balances innovation with public confidence and regulatory compliance.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Medical Physics, Python Data Visualisation Libraries Mastery, API Development and Staff Recruitment And Retention — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.