An Exploratory Study on the Impact of Generative AI on Student Learning in Higher Education

Abstract

The rapid advent of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, is transforming academic landscapes, presenting both opportunities and challenges. This study explores how university students leverage GenAI for learning at a large public university in the United States, focusing on their usage and perceptions of these tools in higher education. The findings reveal students' experiences harnessing GenAI for various purposes, including drafting assistance, knowledge synthesis, and cross-disciplinary applications. The study also investigates students' perceived benefits and limitations of GenAI technologies in educational contexts, as well as the salient ethical concerns they express regarding the integration of GenAI systems into higher education. Additionally, the research underscores the pressing need for developing critical ethical considerations and guidelines for the use of GenAI in higher education, particularly from the perspective of students as key stakeholders in the academic ecosystem.This study contributes to the growing body of research on the impact of GenAI in higher education and provides valuable recommendations for educators and administrators seeking to harness the potential of these tools while mitigating potential risks and challenges. Ultimately, the successful integration of GenAI in higher education will require ongoing collaboration, adaptation, and innovation from all stakeholders involved in the academic ecosystem.