Indian Students Prefer Handwritten Notes Despite AI Boom: HP Futures 2026 Survey
Many Indian students still turn to handwriting or printed materials when they want to remember what they have studied, even as artificial intelligence tools become part of academic work. In the HP Futures 2026 survey, 82% of Indian respondents said they use these traditional methods when retention is their goal. The finding suggests students see a role for both digital tools and familiar study practices.
The survey covered more than 6,000 students worldwide, including 758 from India. It was led by HP with the Global Learning Council and the Education Leaders Forum. The results report students’ views and preferences; they do not establish that handwritten notes alone cause better academic performance.
What Indian Students Said
| Survey finding | Share of Indian respondents |
|---|---|
| Use handwriting or printed notes when they want to retain material | 82% |
| Believe AI will create more job opportunities than it replaces | 78% |
| Feel confident about using AI effectively and responsibly in future careers | 87% |
| Believe their education is preparing them for the job market | 92% |
The findings point to a distinction in how students view learning tools: AI can help with speed and task completion, while handwritten or printed notes remain a preferred option for revisiting material. The survey also recorded concern among students that faster AI-supported work may not always mean they have understood a topic in depth.
Why the Findings Matter for Education
- Students value choice: Their reported habits include both AI use and analogue study methods.
- Retention remains a priority: More than eight in ten Indian respondents said they turn to writing or printing notes when they want to remember material.
- Confidence in AI is high: Most respondents said they expect to use AI effectively and responsibly in their future careers.
- Foundational skills still matter: The report calls for critical thinking, creativity, literacy and numeracy to remain central to education.
HP Futures 2026 Survey Timeline
- Survey stage: More than 6,000 students worldwide were included, with 758 respondents from India.
- Report release: The HP Futures 2026 findings were released in October 2026.
- Education focus: The report urged education systems to combine AI readiness with durable skills and foundational learning.
The survey portrays Indian students as optimistic about AI’s career potential while attentive to how they learn and retain information. Its findings are a snapshot of student perspectives, rather than an assessment of classroom outcomes. For educators, the report’s central message is to prepare students to use emerging tools while continuing to build the skills needed to question, understand and apply what they learn.
