AI in Academia: Student Voices and the Quest for Authenticity in a Changing Educational Landscape

Description

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into higher education, understanding how students perceive and use these tools is vital for maintaining authenticity in learning. This pilot study explores graduate students’ experiences with AI in their coursework at a university in Iceland, aiming to inform the development of a comprehensive, university-wide survey.

Twelve students participated in a pilot survey, which included both Likert-scale-rated and qualitative items, sharing how they used AI for tasks such as generating ideas, summarizing texts, and structuring assignments.

While most expressed positive attitudes—citing time-saving benefits, enhanced creativity, and support for critical thinking—many also voiced ethical concerns. These included doubts about the reliability of AI-generated information, data privacy risks, and the broader societal implications of rapid AI advancement.

Student feedback directly shaped the refinement of the full-scale survey to ensure clarity and resonance. Additionally, AI tools were employed to assist in revising the final survey, demonstrating their potential role in participatory, responsive research design. This study highlights the importance of grounding educational innovation in student perspectives, ensuring that AI supports rather than supplants the authentic learning experience. It calls for clear guidance and open dialogue to navigate AI’s evolving role in academic practice.

Period	26 Nov 2025
Event title	EAPRIL 2025 Conference, University of Malta : Valletta Campus, Valletta, Malta, 25-27. November 2025
Event type	Conference
Location	Valletta, MaltaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International