What Artificial Intelligence Means to Us – Students’ Insights

Abstract

This study explores students' perspectives on advancing Higher Education to equip them better not only for the evolving demands of the 21st-century labour market, but also for the societal challenges posed by the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). A total of fifty students from various European universities provided insights into the role of AI in education, articulating their views on AI potential, its ethical application within academic institutions and the necessity for caution due to a general lack of awareness regarding its potential risks. Employing a brainstorming technique to stimulate discussions and to expand responses, the study involved five groups of ten students each, with a facilitator guiding the discourse to foster a structured exchange of ideas on AI's educational applications. The findings align with contemporary research in the field: students emphasize the potential AI offers in education, the importance of familiarization with AI use, and the risks associated with the implementation of AI in Higher Education (HE) institutions. This study contributes to a better understanding of how the rapidly evolving technological landscape influences Higher Education, shaping the experiences and preparedness of future graduates.