Hiring managers today see AI fluency — the ability to understand, use, and adapt to artificial intelligence tools — as more than just an added bonus. They're treating it as a core skill that job candidates need right from the start. Students feel the same way, expecting universities to give them practical AI experience across their coursework.

To understand this shift, we surveyed over 1,000 working professionals and hiring managers, uncovering exactly how much AI impacts hiring and educational choices. As workplaces become more tech-driven, universities that embrace AI are positioning their graduates for real-world success.

Key Takeaways

• 26% of hiring managers say AI fluency is now a baseline requirement, a must-have for applicants.
• 40% of hiring managers say they'd trust a university graduate more if their program required hands-on AI use across all subjects.
• 37% of hiring managers say they prefer candidates from universities with AI-integrated coursework, and 35% specifically look for AI experience on resumes.
• Nearly 1 in 4 prospective students (22%) say they'd trust a university program less if it blocked AI use in coursework.
• 57% of prospective students believe that using applied AI in coursework helps make students more job-ready.
• Both hiring managers and prospective students were equally likely (41%) to say that universities that restrict AI use in coursework are doing more harm than good to students.
• 22% of hiring managers say AI fluency is just as or more important than communication skills.

How Hiring Managers Are Shifting Their Priorities

Today's hiring managers increasingly value AI fluency, sometimes ranking it higher than traditional qualifications.

More than one in four hiring managers (26%) considered AI fluency a baseline requirement for job applicants, with the highest importance reported in the tech (52%) and finance (42%) sectors. Forty percent said they would trust graduates more if their university program required practical AI use across all subjects. Another 37% preferred candidates from institutions that integrated AI into coursework, and 35% actively searched for AI experience on resumes.

Some hiring managers (22%) even ranked AI fluency as equally or more important than communication skills. Among those in tech, 26% placed a higher value on AI skills than on a degree from a prestigious school. One in six hiring managers also said they would be less likely to hire candidates from universities that restrict AI use.

Student Expectations and Preparedness

Learners aren't waiting for universities to catch up. They're already integrating AI into their daily work.

Four in five professionals (80%) said they were already using tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Copilot on the job. Millennials and Gen X led the way (81% each), while Gen Z lagged slightly behind at 71%.

Expectations for AI in education also varied by generation. Just over half of Gen X respondents (51%) said they'd be less likely to enroll in a graduate or certificate program that didn't offer AI training. This sentiment was also shared by 38% of millennials and 37% of Gen Z. Over half (57%) believed that applied AI coursework made students more job-ready.

Students also evaluated trust based on AI access, with 22% saying they'd trust a university less if it blocked AI in coursework.

Is It Harmful To Restrict AI in Education?

Universities that limit AI in the classroom may not just be behind the curve. They could be hurting their students' prospects.

An equal share of hiring managers and prospective students (41%) believed that restricting AI in coursework does more harm than good. Nearly half of hiring managers (45%) and 42% of prospective students said they felt moral or professional pressure to use AI tools, signaling that resistance could be unethical or impractical in a modern context.

Conclusion: Embracing AI as a Core Competency

As AI becomes a fundamental part of professional life, universities can't afford to treat it as optional. Employers and students alike agree that restricting AI access in coursework can put learners at a disadvantage. Universities that integrate AI across their programs are preparing students for career success. Rather than resisting this change, institutions have the chance to lead the way, equipping graduates not only to keep up but to set the pace in an AI-driven workforce.

Methodology

In July 2025, we surveyed 1,004 Americans to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping both hiring and higher education. Of those surveyed, 80% were working professionals considering a return to school, and 20% were hiring managers. Among the working professionals, 17% were Gen Z, 61% were millennials, 21% were Gen X, and 2% were baby boomers.

About Nexford University

At Nexford University, you'll gain the skills you need for the global workplace through affordable, flexible, and career-focused online degree programs. Whether you're interested in an MBA, BBA, or an MS in Digital Transformation, you'll find courses designed specifically to help you advance professionally. Discover how Nexford can support your career growth at Nexford.edu.

Fair Use Statement

You may use the information in this article for noncommercial purposes only. If you share it, you must provide proper attribution with a link back to Nexford University.