Unlike previous research, which was primarily based on surveys and self-reported data, this study examined students’ actual usage behavior.
“Previous research on AI learning assistants relied primarily on small-scale surveys. For the first time, our study uses real-world usage data to show how students actually use a learning AI like Syntea. In doing so, we are establishing a solid empirical foundation for the further development of AI-powered learning assistants while also making an important research contribution to the use of AI in higher education,” explains author Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kristina Schaaff, Professor of Digital Transformation with a focus on AI at IU International University.
Analysis Shows: AI Use Follows the Rhythm of Studies
Among other things, the analysis yielded the following findings:
- Syntea is widely used: Approximately 58 percent of the students included in the study used Syntea during the observation period.
- The use of Syntea reflects the diverse academic and personal realities of the students: While most interactions take place during the day on weekdays, part-time students more frequently use the AI learning assistant outside of regular working hours, particularly in the evenings and on weekends.
- Students of all age groups use the AI learning assistant: While around 64 percent of Generation Z (born 1997–2012) use Syntea, the proportion among Generation X (1965–1980) is around 50 percent, and among baby boomers (1946–1964) it is 38 percent.
- Women use Syntea slightly more often than men (59 percent versus 55 percent).
- Syntea is used particularly intensively in the subject areas “Psychology & Education” and “Marketing & Communication.”
The results show that AI-supported learning does not take place in isolation from everyday student life, but is oriented toward the individual realities of students’ lives. For example, part-time students use Syntea more frequently in the evenings and on weekends, while full-time students primarily use the AI learning assistant during the day on weekdays.
“The results clearly demonstrate that AI-supported learning at IU has long since become part of everyday student life. What’s particularly exciting is that some findings contradict our original assumptions—such as the high usage rate among older students. Such insights can only be gained by analyzing real usage data and help us further develop Syntea in a targeted manner,” says Quintus Stierstorfer, Senior Director of AI Product, inventor of Syntea, and co-author of the study.
Findings Inform Syntea’s Further Development
For IU, study results like these also serve as a concrete mandate for development. Syntea is continuously being developed based on scientific findings, real-world usage data, and student feedback.
In the future, Syntea—which was recently evolved from an AI assistant into a learning companion—will gain multimodal functions, particularly for visually oriented degree programs, and provide students with even more personalized support. In addition to taking into account different life circumstances, Syntea will increasingly focus on personalized learning dialogs tailored to individual career goals and interests, thereby strengthening the practical relevance of the degree program. Accompanying research 1 shows that this approach can increase both student satisfaction and engagement.
About the Study
The study “Using AI-based Learning Assistants in Higher Education: A Large-Scale Descriptive Analysis” was presented at the “AIET 2026 (Artificial Intelligence in Education Technologies)” conference, which took place from July 29 to 31, 2026, in Zagreb, Croatia (https://www.aiet.org/).
The authors are Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kristina Schaaff, Dr. Valerie Hekkel, and Quintus Stierstorfer from IU International University. The study is based on anonymized log data from over 77,000 distance learners (adjusted: 76,000) who were enrolled in bachelor’s or master’s distance learning programs at IU in February 2025.
The full study is available for free on ArXiv: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2607.08748
The study will also be published by Springer Professional.
About Syntea
Syntea is the AI-powered Learning Companion of IU International University. It accompanies students throughout their entire degree program and helps them better understand course material, prepare for exams, and achieve their individual learning goals. The Learning Companion answers subject-specific questions, explains complex concepts, assists with study organization, and offers personalized exam preparation. Through individualized feedback and support tailored to personal learning goals, Syntea promotes self-directed and flexible learning. The current version is used by students on average four times longer than the previous version and was honored with the Gold Award at the QS Reimagine Education Awards in December 2025.
For more information, visit: https://www.iu.de/syntea/
1 https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2508.04070 Mehlan, R., Hess, C., Stierstorfer, Q., Schaaff, K. (2026). Personalized Knowledge Transfer Through Generative AI: Contextualizing Learning to Individual Career Goals. In: Schlippe, T., Cheng, E.C.K., Wang, T. (eds) Artificial Intelligence in Education Technologies: New Developments and Innovative Practices. AIET 2025. Lecture Notes on Data Engineering and Communications Technologies, vol. 279. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-4423-3_5
ABOUT IU INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
With approximately 130,000 students, IU International University (IU) is Germany’s largest university. This private, state-recognized educational institution, headquartered in Erfurt, began offering courses in 2000 and now operates at 37 locations. IU stands for maximum flexibility in higher education: whether through dual study programs, distance learning, or on-campus study—students from over 160 countries tailor their educational paths to their individual life situations. With more than 200 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA levels, IU imparts practical skills. Innovative learning concepts foster targeted, future-ready skills for an increasingly AI-driven workplace. A modern, digitally supported learning environment and the use of artificial intelligence enable effective, personalized learning. As a pioneer in this field, IU has developed its own digital learning assistant, “Syntea,” which has been in use since 2023. A network of over 15,000 companies—including Motel One, Vodafone, the AWO, and Deutsche Bahn—makes IU a strong partner in training skilled professionals and consistently bridges the gap between academic teaching and real-world practice.
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Further Links
👉 www.iu.de
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