AI in the University: Students’ Perceptions and Concerns Regarding GenAI Chatbots

Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, generative AI chatbots (GenAI) have gained popularity, raising concerns about their impact on various sectors, including education. This study investigated university students’ perceptions and concerns regarding the technology applied to educational purposes. Ninety-six students from Dutch higher education institutions, primarily female (71%), aged 18 to 24 (78%), and studying in the field of Behaviour and Society (60%), participated in the study by completing an online survey to reveal if and how they used GenAI chatbots for their assignments. Results showed that 84% of the participants that knew the tool used them for their assignments, with a mean frequency of use around several times a week, while 8% declared using the chatbots at least once a day. Students generally agreed that GenAI chatbots are useful for university tasks, especially associating the tool with an increase in productivity. Students’ main concerns were the risk to honest and...Show moreSince the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, generative AI chatbots (GenAI) have gained popularity, raising concerns about their impact on various sectors, including education. This study investigated university students’ perceptions and concerns regarding the technology applied to educational purposes. Ninety-six students from Dutch higher education institutions, primarily female (71%), aged 18 to 24 (78%), and studying in the field of Behaviour and Society (60%), participated in the study by completing an online survey to reveal if and how they used GenAI chatbots for their assignments. Results showed that 84% of the participants that knew the tool used them for their assignments, with a mean frequency of use around several times a week, while 8% declared using the chatbots at least once a day. Students generally agreed that GenAI chatbots are useful for university tasks, especially associating the tool with an increase in productivity. Students’ main concerns were the risk to honest and ethical behavior, doubt about the reliability of generated content and plagiarism. The level of concern with potential negative effects of GenAI chatbots was negatively correlated with frequency of use. Students’ attitudes and concerns highlight the need for institutional guidelines to help them use the technology fairly and critically. Guidance could enable the use of GenAI chatbots to enhance productivity in school tasks while preventing issues related to academic integrity and security.Show less

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AI in the University: Students’ Perceptions and Concerns Regarding GenAI Chatbots