By Esther Wickham | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – As American schools continue to turn to artificial intelligence, a new study by eLearning Industry highlights which states are showing the strongest interest in AI education.
The study analyzed data on the website searches with 28 AI education-related keywords across all 50 states. Virginia leads the nation in online interest in AI education with 60.87 searches per 100,000 residents. Maryland is second at 58.96, and New Jersey is at 54.67.
As the rise in AI continues to be a topic of interest in the education world, experts say the trend could play a significant role in shaping both the future of higher education and the readiness of the U.S. workforce.
Phillip Snalune, co-founder of the AI learning platform Codio, said in an exclusive interview with The Center Square that higher education must prioritize immersive, hands-on instruction over passive reliance on AI-generated answers.
His comments come as new data suggests employers are struggling to find workers who can effectively use and manage AI, despite widespread use among students. A study by the Digital Education Council shows that 80% to 90% of students now use AI regularly.
Yet Snalune highlights within a Codio survey that many executives and vice presidents at large U.S. companies found a disconnect between corporate ambitions for AI and the skills employees actually possess.
Executives reported difficulty finding workers with practical abilities in areas such as AI oversight, applied usage and data literacy.
“The No. 1 skill enterprises are looking for is AI oversight and governance,” Snalune told The Center Square.
But educators continue to express concern artificial intelligence could become a shortcut for cheating. They’re concerned current safeguards are insufficient. In response, Codio developed an AI assistant called Coach that explains errors in plain language and encourages students to work through problems rather than providing direct answers. Snalune said the approach is designed to ensure AI supports learning instead of replacing it.
“One clear signal is that I think the technology is clearly moving faster than curricula are being modernized,” Snalune said. “And that is probably the underlying source of anxiety on the teaching side.”
As the 2025-26 academic year continues, educators and employers are increasingly framing AI fluency as a core literacy.
Snalune said the focus must shift away from small pilot programs and toward building practical skills that are easily transferable into the workplace.
“The surge in AI-related education searches shows how Americans are embracing the future of work,” a spokesperson from eLearning Industry said in an email to The Center Square. “From online certifications to advanced degree programs, people are actively upskilling to stay competitive in an AI-driven economy.”
“Esther is an education reporter for The Center Square. Please email her at ewickham@thecentersquare.com for tips or questions.”