An Empirical Study of Student Perspectives on AI Integration in Higher Education

Abstract

Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a significant role in transforming all fields, including education. Although there are numerous studies on the integration of Artificial Intelligence in education, most of them focus on the perceptions of teachers or decision-makers in the education sector, as it is clear that this digital revolution brought by AI has led to a rethinking of the entire educational process, with little focus on how students perceive the integration of AI in education. This article aims to evaluate the perceptions of students from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs regarding the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the educational process. By analyzing these perceptions, this study seeks to better understand students' attitudes towards the role of AI in shaping the future of higher education and to assess its potential impact on the learning process and academic practices. Methodologically, the research is based, on the one hand, on document analysis, considering studies that explore the intersection between AI and education, focusing especially on the adoption of AI tools for personalized learning, academic support, and administrative efficiency, and the other hand, on quantitative research based on a questionnaire addressed to students from the aforementioned educational cycles. Thus, the general objective of the research is to assess the impact that students believe AI has on higher education and to outline how they think university education will unfold in the future, as well as to identify concerns related to its integration. The results of this study are important for decision-makers and university teachers, providing insights into the level of preparedness and concerns students have regarding AI in higher education. These findings can guide the ethical and effective integration of AI tools in academic environments.