Artificial intelligence adoption among Swiss adult educators: usage patterns, determinants, barriers, and perceptions

A cross-sectional survey of 123 Swiss adult education educators indicates widespread adoption of AI tools, with 82.1% reporting active use. AI knowledge, rather than demographics, is the primary driver of usage frequency. While educators are generally optimistic about AI's potential, significant barriers include privacy and security concerns, and perceived lack of institutional support. Current AI use predominantly focuses on efficiency gains, such as lesson preparation, rather than deeper pedagogical integration.

Why it matters

These findings highlight a significant, albeit efficiency-focused, embrace of AI within an educational context, driven by individual knowledge. Addressing privacy, security, and institutional support gaps is crucial for unlocking AI's full potential and enabling its strategic integration beyond basic productivity gains across various sectors.

Key insights

• AI tool adoption is prevalent among surveyed Swiss adult education educators, with over 80% reporting active use.
• Educators' self-reported AI knowledge is a key determinant of usage frequency, outweighing demographic factors.
• A general optimism exists regarding AI's potential to support educators' work.
• Significant barriers to AI adoption include privacy and security concerns.
• Limited perceived institutional support for AI integration is a notable constraint.
• Current AI applications are primarily efficiency-oriented, such as lesson preparation, indicating a focus on productivity rather than deep pedagogical integration.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1805081