Faculty Members' Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: A Comprehensive Study
Faculty Members' Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: A Comprehensive Study
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Abstract
This study examines the perceptions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher
education among a group of 96 faculty members from a private university in Chile.
This research focuses on five dimensions, addressing general perceptions of AI, its
current usage in higher education, the impact on the student experience, concerns
about its application, and future expectations. The findings indicate that the faculty
generally holds a positive view of AI's potential to enhance the quality of higher
education. They recognize the current utilization of AI, particularly in personalized
learning experiences and administrative support through chatbots and virtual
assistants. Faculty also report experiencing concrete benefits from AI, such as
improved online teaching and learning. Despite this optimism, some concerns
about privacy, equity, and the potential replacement of teachers by AI systems
were expressed. However, participants held strong expectations for AI's role in the
future of higher education. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into
the multifaceted perceptions of AI in higher education, offering essential guidance
for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) seeking to harness the potential of AI while
addressing related concerns.
Introduction
In recent years, the field of AI has witnessed a remarkable transformation in various
domains, and education is no exception. With the advent of sophisticated AI technologies, the
landscape of higher education has undergone substantial changes, ushering in a new era of
innovation and adaptability. AI's integration into higher education is not merely a technological
shift, but a fundamental reimagining of how learning and teaching take place, offering unique
opportunities and challenges that demand a comprehensive understanding.
The widespread use of AI in sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, as well
as its ever-expanding applications in daily life, has transformed the way we live, work, and learn.
However, the integration of AI within the context of higher education has lagged considerably.
This phenomenon is due to a combination of factors, including the inherent complexities of
academic settings, budget constraints, and the inertia within institutional structures.
• AI is set to reshape the content and delivery of the curriculum itself. With the
assistance of AI-driven tools, educators can customize learning experiences for
individual students, adapting the pace and content to cater to their specific needs and
learning styles. This personalization not only enhances student engagement but also
leads to improved learning outcomes. Furthermore, AI can provide real-time feedback
to both students and instructors, helping to identify areas where students may need
additional support and allowing educators to make timely adjustments to their
teaching strategies.
When addressing the influence of AI on learning and teaching in higher education, it's
clear that AI will have a substantial effect on two primary areas: student enrollment and the
curriculum (Taneri, 2020). One of the most noteworthy applications is the use of intelligent
tutoring systems, which provide personalized learning experiences. AI also provides a more
student-centric approach (Mandal & Mete, 2023), adapts to a student's pace and offers
customized study materials.
These systems adapt content and pace to individual students' needs, enhancing their
comprehension and retention of the material. What's more, they can identify knowledge gaps
and suggest remedial content, thus tailoring education to the specific requirements of each
student. This kind of individualized learning promotes student engagement and is instrumental
in enhancing overall academic outcomes. This student-centric approach encourages greater
student engagement and motivation by ensuring that the learning materials are not only relevant
but also presented in a manner that resonates with each student's learning style. As AI continues
to refine its abilities in this area, it promises to create a more inclusive and effective educational
environment where students can achieve their full potential and excel in their academic pursuits.
Furthermore, the scope of AI's potential in the field of education is extensive, spanning
multiple areas and delivering advantages to both teachers and students (Vera, 2023b). For
example, AI can analyze how teamwork is observed in students, identifying roles and group
dynamics, and providing feedback on how to enhance collaboration and team effectiveness
(Figure 1).
Despite significant strides made in the realm of AI across various industries, it is evident
that HEIs have been relatively slow to embrace the AI revolution. This lag in the adoption of AI
technologies within the academic sphere is a subject of both observation and concern. The author
of this study has keenly observed this situation through various lenses, from informal
conversations with academic peers to active participation in numerous webinars and conferences
as an international AI expert. This first-hand experience has exposed the intricacies and nuances
of the delayed integration of AI in the realm of higher education.
More specifically, in conversations with fellow academics, the author has noted that
many faculty members express concerns, reservations, or sometimes simply a lack of awareness
regarding the potential benefits and implications of AI in education. These discussions frequently
revolve around topics such as data privacy, equity in access to educational opportunities, and the
role of educators in a technologically evolving landscape. Addressing these concerns is crucial in
ensuring a smooth transition to an AI-augmented educational environment.
During international webinars and conferences, the author has also encountered a wide
array of perspectives and practices in AI implementation. While some HEIs are at the forefront of
AI integration, showcasing innovative solutions and outcomes, others are only beginning to
explore the possibilities. This disparity underscores the need for comprehensive, context-specific
strategies and guidelines that can help HEIs navigate their unique journeys toward adopting AI
technologies effectively.
One common theme that emerges from these experiences is that while the AI adoption
curve in higher education may appear gradual, it is undeniable that the education sector cannot
remain stagnant in the face of technological advancement. Embracing AI, even with its inherent
challenges, is essential to ensure that HEIs remain relevant, offer high-quality education, and
contribute to the ongoing discourse and research in the AI field.
One primary reason for this late entrance into the world of AI can be attributed to the
unique challenges that HEIs face. Educational environments often necessitate a more cautious
approach when implementing new technologies. Unlike the business sector, where rapid
technological adoption is more common, higher education is characterized by a careful,
deliberative decision-making process to ensure that AI solutions align with the institution's
educational mission and pedagogical values.
From an organizational perspective, the inertia within institutional structures also plays
a role in the late entry of HEIs into the AI landscape. Established academic traditions, faculty
resistance to change, and institutional bureaucracy can contribute to a slow-moving approach
when it comes to adopting innovative technologies like AI.
Despite these challenges, it is essential for HEIs to recognize that the delayed adoption
of AI has consequences for their competitiveness, quality of education, and contribution to AI
research. They must proactively address these issues, strategize for effective AI integration, and
ensure they do not miss out on the benefits and opportunities AI can offer in the realm of higher
education.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the late embrace of Artificial Intelligence
(AI) by HEIs is a matter of concern and criticism. The adoption of AI across sectors has been
transformative, leading to substantial advancements in fields like healthcare, finance, and
manufacturing. However, the integration of AI in higher education has been relatively sluggish,
and this inertia comes with its own set of challenges and implications.
One of the most prominent criticisms of HEIs' late engagement with AI is the missed
opportunities in enhancing the quality of education. AI-driven systems have the potential to
revolutionize the learning experience by personalizing content and assessments, providing timely
feedback, and supporting students in innovative ways. The belated entry of HEIs into this arena
has prevented students and educators from harnessing the full range of benefits offered by these
technologies.
Furthermore, this delayed embrace has implications for research and innovation.
Universities play a vital role in AI research, and by not fully engaging with AI technologies, they
miss opportunities to make groundbreaking contributions and influence the development of AI
ethics, regulation, and best practices.
At the Dartmouth Conference, the term "artificial intelligence" itself was coined, and the
scientists embarked on an ambitious mission—to make computers simulate human intelligence.
In this landmark conference, McCarthy, envisioning a significant collaborative initiative, gathered
leading researchers from diverse disciplines for an unrestricted dialogue on artificial intelligence,
a term he coined during the same occasion (Anyoha, 2017). While their initial pursuits focused
on achieving a more comprehensive understanding of general AI, these foundational
conversations planted the seeds that would later germinate across various domains, including
higher education.
AI applications in higher education are quietly reshaping various aspects of the academic
landscape, including administration, teaching, learning, and research. Some noteworthy
examples include:
• Administrative Support: AI tools play a pivotal role in processing vast amounts of data
related to student recruitment, admissions, and retention. They assist in decision-
making processes, assess productivity and performance, and streamline
administrative tasks.
These transformative processes have the potential to redefine and reduce job positions
in areas such as admissions, administrative support, instructional design, teaching, and
information technology support. The continuous improvement of AI-generated content,
exemplified by innovations like ChatGPT-4, enhances efficiency and productivity in these areas.
While ChatGPT and similar AI models have demonstrated their ability to generate a wide
range of content, from articles and stories to programming code and academic papers, it's
important to acknowledge their limitations. ChatGPT can be prone to inaccuracies and even
fabrications. While educators have found value in using ChatGPT for drafting course materials,
it's crucial to recognize that AI is still a long way from replicating the intricate metacognitive
processes involved in scholarly writing. Nonetheless, the increasing use of AI in academic writing
has raised concerns about potential disruptions to traditional academic scholarship.
This means that organizations and data processors must carefully navigate the legal
requirements and ethical considerations when working with different types of data, ensuring that
they comply with GDPR in the case of personal data, while also maintaining transparency and
ethical standards in handling aggregated and anonymous data.
Thus, ensuring that data is used responsibly and securely is a pressing concern. Therefore,
ethical considerations encompass the fairness of AI systems, equitable access to education, and
the transparency of algorithmic decision-making. Addressing these challenges is paramount to
harnessing the full potential of AI in education without compromising on equity and ethical
standards. Faculty and educational institutions need to actively engage with these issues to
ensure that AI truly enhances the educational experience.
The primary goal is to provide a comprehensive and descriptive overview of how this
group of professors perceives the role and impact of AI in the higher education landscape within
the Chilean context. Through a non-experimental, exploratory design, this research seeks to
uncover valuable insights that can inform future developments and strategies in the domain of
AI and education.
Participants
In this study, 96 professors from a private Chilean university were invited to take part,
representing the entire sample (n=96). The composition of the participants includes 47 male
professors and 49 female professors, translating to a (49%) male and (51%) female distribution
within the sample. The participants exhibited an average age of 41.9 years (SD=11.95). This
comprehensive demographic information offers insights into the diversity and characteristics of
the sample, which is essential for understanding the context and the perspectives of the
educators in the study.
Instrument
The data for this study was collected through the Questionnaire on the Use of Artificial
Intelligence (QUIA) (Vera, 2023c), comprising 25 closed-ended questions, employing a Likert
scale, with values ranging from 1 to 5, where 1 corresponds to "Strongly Disagree" and 5 signifies
"Strongly Agree. This comprehensive instrument was designed to capture valuable insights from
the participants regarding their perspectives on the infusion of sustainability into teaching
practices, employing a robust and validated questionnaire format. The combination of closed-
ended Likert scale questions and an open-ended query offers a balanced approach for gathering
both quantitative and qualitative data, providing a rich dataset for analysis.
Results
A total of 96 university instructors from the Nursing program at a private Chilean
university responded to the Questionnaire on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (QUIA) in higher
education. To facilitate better understanding, the following dimensions were defined: General
Perception of AI in Higher Education (GPI), Current Use of AI in Higher Education (UAI), Impact of
AI on the Student Experience (ISE), Concerns About the Use of AI in Higher Education (CAU), and
Future Expectations of AI in Higher Education (EAI) (See Table 1).
GPI 5. I have experienced concrete benefits in higher education due to the use of AI. 96 4.40 0.88
UAI 6. My institution actively uses AI systems to suggest courses or learning resources. 96 3.44 1.01
UAI 7. I have had access to online learning platforms that use AI to assess my progress 96 4.48 0.76
and adapt content.
UAI 8. Chatbots have been implemented in my educational institution to support 96 4.52 0.70
students.
UAI 9. AI is used in research or data analysis in my area of study. 96 4.52 0.67
UAI 10. In my experience, the impact of AI on higher education has been positive. 96 4.68 0.52
ISE 11. AI personalizes learning content according to my needs and preferences. 96 4.68 0.65
ISE 12. AI makes learning resources more accessible for my students. 96 4.44 0.80
ISE 13. AI has improved my ability to keep pace with online classes. 96 4.48 0.72
ISE 14. AI has influenced academic management in the educational institution. 96 4.40 0.70
ISE 15. AI has improved interaction and communication with my colleagues. 96 4.52 0.65
CAU 16. I am very concerned about the privacy of my personal data when AI systems are 96 4.00 1.12
used.
CAU 17. I have many concerns about equity in education access due to the use of AI. 96 4.52 0.66
CAU 18. I am greatly concerned that AI may replace teachers in the future. 96 3.96 1.13
CAU 19. I have many ethical concerns about how AI algorithms are used in education. 96 4.24 0.91
CAU 20. I feel very well-informed about policies and practices related to AI in my 96 4.12 0.95
educational institution.
EAI 21. I fully believe that AI will play an even more significant role in higher education 96 4.72 0.52
in the future.
EAI 22. I greatly hope that AI will enhance the quality of learning in the coming years. 96 4.64 0.63
EAI 23. I have high expectations of how AI could make higher education more
accessible. 96 4.60 0.62
EAI 24. I fully believe that AI will be essential in online education in the future. 96 4.72 0.47
EAI 25. I largely think specific areas of higher education will benefit from AI
development. 96 4.60 0.62
Table 1 presents the responses of faculty members to the QUIA (Vera. 2023) in higher
education. The table is organized into five dimensions: General Perception of AI in Higher
Education (GPI), Current Use of AI in Higher Education (UAI), Impact of AI on the Student
Experience (ISE), Concerns About the Use of AI in Higher Education (CAU), and Future
Expectations of AI in Higher Education (EAI). Each dimension consists of several statements, and
for each statement, the table provides the number of responses (N), the mean score, and the
standard deviation (SD).
For instance, in the GPI dimension, it's evident that faculty members generally hold
positive views on AI's potential to enhance the quality of higher education (mean = 4.44).
Similarly, in the UAI dimension, it's notable that faculty members have a relatively favorable
perception of AI's role in enhancing online learning, as indicated by high mean scores for
statements related to AI's impact on online courses and learning resources. Overall, the table
offers a comprehensive view of faculty members' perceptions, experiences, and concerns
regarding the integration of AI in higher education, which can be valuable for understanding their
viewpoints and guiding future strategies.
The third dimension, "Impact of AI on the Student Experience," received a mean score of
4.51, indicating that faculty members perceive AI as positively influencing students' educational
experiences. The fourth dimension, "Concerns About the Use of AI in Higher Education," has an
average score of 4.17, signifying that faculty members do have some concerns related to AI in
education.
In the fifth dimension, "Future Expectations of AI in Higher Education," the mean score is
4.65, showcasing a strong belief in the potential of AI to play an even more significant role in
higher education in the future.
Overall, the total row reveals an average mean score of 4.42 across all dimensions,
reflecting an overall positive perception of AI in higher education among faculty members. The
low standard deviation of 0.36 suggests that there is relatively low variability in responses across
the different dimensions.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, the integration of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the way we teach and learn. This comprehensive study aimed
to delve into the perceptions and perspectives of 96 faculty members from a private Chilean
university regarding the use of AI in higher education. Through examining five essential
dimensions, including general perceptions of AI, its current utilization, impact on the student
experience, concerns, and future expectations, valuable insights have emerged.
The findings of this study revealed that faculty members generally possess a positive
outlook on the potential of AI to enhance the quality of higher education. They acknowledge the
current use of AI in the realm of personalized learning experiences and administrative support
through mechanisms like chatbots and virtual assistants. Furthermore, faculty members reported
experiencing concrete benefits in the form of improved online teaching and learning. Despite this
optimism, certain concerns regarding privacy, equity in education access, and the possible
replacement of teachers by AI systems were expressed.
However, challenges lie ahead as institutions grapple with issues related to data privacy,
equity, and ethics in AI usage. It is crucial for HEIs to engage actively with these concerns and
create a balanced approach to AI integration, ensuring that the educational mission and values
are preserved.
In conclusion, this study provides invaluable insights into the multifaceted perceptions of
AI in higher education, offering essential guidance for HEIs looking to harness the potential of AI
while addressing related concerns. As AI continues to play a more significant role in higher
education, faculty members, students, and educational institutions must collaborate to navigate
this transformative journey while upholding the principles of quality education and ethical
standards.
Recommendations
Building upon the insights garnered from the faculty members' perceptions of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) in higher education, several recommendations emerge. These recommendations
aim to guide HEIs, educators, and stakeholders in navigating the integration of AI while addressing
related concerns and ensuring a quality educational experience:
• Promote AI Literacy among Faculty and Staff: HEIs should prioritize AI literacy
programs and training sessions to ensure that educators and staff are well-informed
about AI's capabilities, ethical implications, and its potential to enhance teaching and
learning. Developing AI competencies among faculty will empower them to harness
AI effectively in their teaching practices.
• Data Privacy and Security Measures: HEIs must establish robust data privacy and
security protocols to protect sensitive student data. It is vital to ensure that AI systems
adhere to strict data protection standards and regulations to maintain the trust of
students and faculty.
• Safeguard Teaching Positions: HEIs should assure faculty members that the
integration of AI is intended to support and enhance their work, not replace it. Taking
proactive steps to safeguard teaching positions and roles in a technologically evolving
landscape can alleviate concerns about job security.
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